For the first time, Britain will celebrate a National Harvest of the Sea

Sunday 11 October | 6.00pm | Exeter Cathedral

For centuries Britain has celebrated the harvest from the land. This autumn, for the first time, the nation will come together to celebrate the harvest of the sea.

On Sunday 11 October at 6.00 pm, Exeter Cathedral will host the inaugural National Harvest of the Sea – a landmark service recognising the fishermen and women, fishing families and coastal communities whose dedication has provided sustainable seafood to Britain for generations.

The service takes place on the last day of British Food Fortnight, the national food celebrations which is marking its 25^th anniversary. A companion National Harvest Service, giving thanks for farmers takes place at St Mary’s Church, Nantwich on the same day.

Held in partnership with Love British Food, and supported by Seafish, the UK’s public body supporting the seafood industry, the National Harvest of the Sea celebrates seafood as an essential part of Britain’s food story. While the annual National Harvest Service has long recognised the achievements of British farming and agriculture, this new national event shines a light on those who harvest the seas, ensuring that fishing takes its rightful place within the nation’s harvest traditions.

The Dean of Exeter will take the service, the Bishop of Exeter will preach, in partnership with The Fishermen’s Mission, area manager for Devon, Helen Lovell-Smith, bringing together representatives from across the fishing industry, seafood businesses, coastal communities, churches and supporters from around the United Kingdom.

Fishing is one of Britain’s oldest industries, helping shape our coastal towns, our culture and our food for centuries. Every day, fishermen and women head to sea in all weathers to land some of the world’s finest sustainable seafood. Their work supports thousands of jobs, strengthens local economies and provides healthy, nutritious food for homes, restaurants and businesses across the country.

The contribution of the fishing industry reaches far beyond the quayside. Every fishing vessel supports a much wider network of businesses throughout the seafood supply chain—from fish markets, processors, merchants and transport operators to engineers, boatyards, fuel suppliers, net makers, wholesalers, retailers, fishmongers and restaurants. Together they sustain thousands of jobs in coastal communities and help ensure that high-quality British seafood reaches tables across the United Kingdom.

The National Harvest of the Sea has been created to celebrate those achievements, to give thanks for the harvest from our seas, and to recognise the resilience, skill and commitment of the people behind Britain’s seafood industry.

Funds raised during the service will support The Fishermen’s Mission, whose work has provided practical, financial and pastoral support to fishermen and their families for more than 140 years.

Everyone is warmly invited to attend this historic service. Whether you work within the seafood industry, have family connections to fishing, or simply wish to celebrate Britain’s rich maritime heritage and show your support for our coastal communities, all are welcome.

The organisers hope this first National Harvest of the Sea will become an annual tradition, standing alongside the country’s established harvest celebrations and recognising the vital contribution made by Britain’s fishing industry for generations to come.

For generations, Britain has celebrated the harvest from the land. The National Harvest of the Sea ensures that the harvest from our seas is recognised alongside it – honoring the fishermen and women who feed the nation, supporting the communities that depend upon them, and inspiring future generations to value Britain’s proud fishing heritage.

Quotes

Adrian Bartlett, one of the organisers of the National Harvest of the Sea and Director of the Plymouth Fishing & Seafood Association, said:

“Having spent nearly forty years in the fishing industry, I’ve seen first-hand the dedication, resilience and pride of the men and women who put to sea in all conditions to provide food for our nation. Yet, despite fishing being one of Britain’s oldest industries, we have never had a national harvest celebration dedicated to those who bring in the harvest from our seas.

“National Harvest of the Sea is about changing that. It’s about recognising the people behind every catch, from the crews at sea to the families and businesses ashore who keep our coastal communities alive. This is a celebration of our heritage, our seafood and our future.

“My hope is that this becomes a lasting national tradition—one that sits proudly alongside Britain’s harvest celebrations for farming and ensures that future generations understand the importance of our fishing industry, not only to our economy but to our culture, our food security and the identity of our coastal communities.

“Whether you’re part of the fishing industry or simply appreciate the value of British seafood, I invite you to join us at Exeter Cathedral and be part of this historic first National Harvest of the Sea

Alexia Robinson, Founder and CEO of Love British Food, said:

“For more than two decades, Love British Food has celebrated the people who produce the food that sustains our nation. British farming and agriculture have long been recognised through our national harvest celebrations, and it is only fitting that we now also celebrate the harvest of our seas.

“Britain’s fishermen and women harvest one of our greatest natural resources, providing sustainable, nutritious seafood while supporting coastal communities and our food security. The National Harvest of the Sea is a wonderful opportunity to recognise their contribution and to bring together everyone who values British food, whether it comes from our fields, our farms or our seas.

We are proud to support this historic event and hope it becomes an annual tradition, celebrating the people, heritage and industries that keep Britain fed.”

Helen Lovell-Smith, The Fishermen’s Mission Area Manager for Devon, said:

“For generations, fishing families have lived by the seasons of the sea, yet until now there has never been a national service dedicated to giving thanks for the harvest from our waters. National Harvest of the Sea is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the skill, courage and commitment of the men and women who bring seafood to our tables every day.

“At the Fishermen’s Mission, we see first-hand both the rewards and the challenges of life in the fishing industry. This service is about giving thanks, remembering those who have gone before us, supporting those who continue to fish today, and recognising the families and coastal communities who stand beside them. We warmly welcome everyone to join us at Exeter Cathedral as we celebrate this historic occasion together.”

Colin Faulkner, Chief Executive of Seafish, said: 

“We very much welcome this inaugural National Harvest of the Sea as an opportunity to recognise the people whose skills, knowledge and commitment bring high-quality, nutritious fish and shellfish to our plates. It’s fitting that the event is taking place at the wonderful Exeter Cathedral, which is in a part of the country that plays an important role in the UK’s seafood harvest.

“Fishing lies at the heart of many coastal communities around the UK, but its contribution reaches much further than our coastline. It supports jobs and businesses throughout the seafood supply chain, provides nutritious food and forms an important part of our shared heritage. We are proud to support the event and to celebrate everyone who contributes to a resilient, responsible and thriving UK seafood industry.”

Fish24 CIC said: 

“Fish24 CIC is proud to support the first National Harvest of the Sea. This special service is an opportunity to give thanks for the dedication, resilience, and skill of the men and women who harvest our seas, and to recognise the many businesses, families, and coastal communities whose livelihoods depend on a thriving fishing industry.

“The sea has shaped our nation’s history for generations, providing food, employment and a way of life. By bringing people together at Exeter Cathedral, we celebrate not only our rich maritime heritage but also the importance of supporting a sustainable future for British seafood.

“Fish24 CIC is honoured to stand alongside the organisers and our industry partners on 11th October, helping to raise awareness of the value of our fishing communities and encouraging everyone to choose, enjoy and champion locally landed British seafood.”

Event Details

National Harvest of the Sea
Date: Sunday 11 October
Time: 6.00 pm
Venue: Exeter Cathedral
Admission: Free – everyone is welcome.