UK Seafood (invite only)

The UK Seafood Conference on consumption, brought together leaders from across the seafood supply chain for a landmark day of collaboration, insight and ambition.

Hosted at the historic Fishmongers’ Hall in London and led by the UK Seafood Federation, the event marked the first in a new national series focused on how industry, government and partners can work together to make seafood a bigger part of the British diet, supporting healthier lives, a sustainable planet, and a thriving economy.

Simon Smith, Chairperson of the UK Seafood Federation, opened the conference by outlining the purpose and vision of the newly formed Federation, representing experts from across processing, trading and seafood businesses of all sizes, collectively generating over £6 billion in annual sales and employing more than 17,000 people.

Prime Warden Simon Barrowcliff of The Fishmongers’ Company welcomed guests, emphasising the shared mission of promoting sustainable fisheries and encouraging seafood as a key part of healthy living.

Simon Smith, Chairperson of the UK Seafood Federation, opened the conference by outlining the purpose and vision of the newly formed Federation, representing experts from across processing, trading and seafood businesses of all sizes, collectively generating over £6 billion in annual sales and employing more than 17,000 people.

Prime Warden Simon Barrowcliff of The Fishmongers’ Company welcomed guests, emphasising the shared mission of promoting sustainable fisheries and encouraging seafood as a key part of healthy living.

Keynote Address

Henry Dimbleby, co-founder of Bramble Partners and author of the National Food Strategy, chaired the day and delivered an inspiring keynote. Framed around four themes, 

• making the case for seafood, 
  understanding current consumption,
• embedding seafood into British diets,
• and defining the road ahead, 

he challenged delegates to rethink convenience, perception and value, and called for greater cross-sector collaboration to transform eating culture and inspire the next generation.

Session Highlights

Building a Healthier Nation – The Case for Seafood

Melanie Onn MP, Co-Chair of the APPG on Fisheries, opened the first session by highlighting seafood’s role in health, heritage and community, and the need for government support to integrate fish into public-sector catering.

James Le Page of DEFRA introduced the Government’s Good Food Cycle, the UK’s new food strategy framework focused on health, sustainability and resilience, inviting industry input into shaping long-term policy.

Kirsty Saddler, Director of Health and Sustainability at IGD, explored how collective change can shift population diets. She unveiled IDG’s seven-lever model for population diet change, stressing the opportunity to increase seafood and plant-based food consumption for both health and climate benefit.

Facing the Reality of Seafood Consumption

Iain Lowrie of Sofina Foods Europe provided a detailed market snapshot, noting that while the UK seafood market is valued at £7.6 billion, consumption has declined dramatically since 2005. He identified the need to retain older shoppers, engage younger consumers through new formats and flavours, and expand variety beyond the “big five” species.

Dr Anneli Lofstedt from Oxford University shared the nutritional and environmental benefits of seafood, advocating for policies that balance sustainability with nutrition, while George Clark of the Marine Stewardship Council presented the MSC’s latest Buy Blue, Protect Dinner campaign, inspiring consumers to choose sustainable seafood and protect ocean health.

A lively panel discussion chaired by Henry Dimbleby with Dr Martin Jaffa, Iain Lowrie, George Clark, and Dr Anneli Lofstedt reinforced that flavour, accessibility and education are key to growing seafood consumption.

Making Seafood a Bigger Part of the British Diet

A fireside chat between Henry Dimbleby and renowned restaurateur Mitch Tonks (Rockfish) explored how hospitality can shape a “culture of seafood”, championing British catches and bridging the gap between fine dining and fish and chips.

Rich Lawrence of New England Seafood International highlighted the power of storytelling and branding in category growth, showing how creativity and consistency can elevate seafood’s public image.

Charlotte Dawe, founder of Sea Sisters, inspired the room with her story of launching the UK’s first domestic cannery, celebrating sustainability, transparency, and female entrepreneurship in the seafood sector.

A panel led by Victoria Townsend (Ocean Fish Ltd) with Andrew Kenny (National Federation of Fishmongers), Lauren Flett (Fastnet Fish) and Chris Ranford (Cornwall Fish PO) discussed opportunities to build consumer trust, share knowledge, and empower independent seafood outlets through collaboration and education.

The Road Ahead for Seafood

Iain Lowrie returned to highlight how products like the fish finger continue to be an entry point for seafood consumption, reaching 14 million households annually, and how innovation can turn early experiences into lifelong eating habits.

Dr Eleanor Adamson (Fishmongers’ Company) and Jeni Adamson (Seafood Scotland) discussed engaging young people through the Fishing School Hero programme and Seafood in Schools, embedding seafood education into the national curriculum.

Dr Rachel Gow, psychologist and brain-health expert, closed the session with a powerful talk on the link between nutrition and mental health, underlining how seafood’s omega-3s and micronutrients support cognitive wellbeing.

Turning the Dial Together

The final panel, moderated by Dan Aherne (Woocheen) and joined by Henry Dimbleby, Dr Rachel Gow, Ash Amirahmadi (Sofina Foods Europe), Rupert Howes (MSC) and Mitch Tonks, distilled the day’s key messages:
• Collaboration across the supply chain is critical.
• Storytelling and visibility drive trust and consumer demand.
• Education and innovation are the engines of long-term change.

As the conference drew to a close, Simon Smith thanked speakers, partners and delegates, including the Future Humber team, Paige McGowan and Leahann Barnes, and reaffirmed the UK Seafood Federation’s mission to unite the industry, champion sustainable seafood, and make fish an everyday choice for every household.

The day concluded with a networking reception and canapés, celebrating new partnerships, shared purpose, and a collective commitment to turning the dial on seafood consumption across the UK.