The winners of the 2024 National Fish and Chip Awards enjoyed an excursion to Norway to learn about responsible sourcing of the fish they fry at home. The Norwegian Seafood Council—representing Seafood from Norway—and Norwegian Frozen at Sea led the winners on a three-day educational trip, learning about haddock and cod sourcing, fishing techniques, and Norwegian fishing culture along the way. They also had the opportunity to meet representatives from the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research and the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, exploring both the intricate relationships between Norwegian fishermen, researchers, and authorities and how they work together to preserve Norway’s marine resources. Given that Norway is a large provider of whitefish to UK friers and consumers, this deep dive into sustainable fishing and processing offered the winners a novel perspective on whitefish consumption.
Victoria Braathen, director of the Norwegian Seafood Council UK, noted that the importance of this trip lies in seeing the journey whitefish make from the net to the fryer. By offering operators a chance to experience first-hand just where their fish comes from…we’re developing a joint understanding of the role of sustainable seafood in fish & chips and building partnerships for the future, she said. This trip reinforced the winners’ understanding of the supply chain of the seafood they serve, giving them new connections in the Norwegian seafood industry and insights they can take home to their customers.