The impact of Brexit and issues around supply and demand featured heavily at this year’s Humber Seafood Summit in Cleethorpes, which closed its doors on Wednesday (11th) after bringing together over 150 delegates from across the UK’s seafood sector.

The current and potential impacts of Brexit featured high on the agenda. Sebastien Metz of Sakana Consultant’s presentation on trade and Brexit from a European perspective led to a lively discussion amongst delegates around access to markets and labour.

Coinciding with Seafood Week (6th-13th Oct), the summit saw key figures from across the industry, policy makers and industry experts debate a packed agenda, covering issues such as employment, seafood security, responsible sourcing and consumption.

With 72% of UK adults unaware of the recommendation to eat two portions of fish per week, there were several UK market insight sessions devoted to targeting the consumer in new and engaging ways.

Zoe Healey of Inventiv Health delivered a session on how to use the different social media channels effectively to ensure the right message targets the right audience.

Claire Nuttall of The Brand Incubator talked to delegates about a gap in the market for retailers to offer smaller portions that provide the necessary nutrients at an affordable price.

Delegates also heard from Simon Dwyer, director of SeaFox, who revealed that no one person is more than 10 minutes away from Grimsby-processed fish. Simon also explained how companies, such as Youngs and Icelandic Seachill, have successfully expanded into US, Australian and Japanese markets, but insisted, "We need to secure supply. If we haven’t got supply, we haven’t got an industry.”

On the topic of responsible sourcing, Mike Mitchell of Fairseas Ltd looked at the challenges facing the industry in terms of authenticity and provenance.

Jim Masters of Fishing into the Future discussed the importance of collaboration between industry and science, emphasising the importance of data crunching to inform policy and action.

The summit’s keynote address came from DEFRA’s George Eustice via video, while the Icelandic Ambassador to the UK, Thordur Aegir Oskarsson, welcomed guests to the Seafood Fayre which was held at the Humber Royal Hotel on Tuesday (10th), where a variety of delicious seafood from the Humber area and beyond was served up.

Marcus Coleman, Seafish CEO, said, "As the doors close on yet another successful Humber Seafood Summit, we are reminded just how important it is to bring the industry together to address our shared challenges. This is reflected in the feedback we’ve received, with many delegates noting how useful it has been to meet with industry peers and to hear from experts on issues that matter to them and their businesses.

"I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended, as well as those who helped to organise the summit. I look forward to seeing everyone again next year.”