Why Buy Greendale Seafood

At Greendale, we’re keen to focus on selling fresh, locally-caught fish in-store and online. Because we have our own fishing fleet, we know exactly where the fish on our counter has come from; our boats work out of Exmouth and Brixham in Devon, and Newlyn in Cornwall, catching a variety of fish from West Country waters. If we can’t catch it ourselves, we source only from trusted suppliers with standards as high as our own; whenever possible, we try to keep ‘food miles’ (the distance and fuel taken to transport an item from production to consumer) as low as possible. When our vessels land a catch, it can be on its way to our Farm Shop within hours, with a direct line of traceability from fishing vessel to customer.

Like our customers, we’re concerned about sustainability in the fishing industry. Our boats operate under fishing quotas designed to protect different fish species from overfishing in UK waters, and we’re also part of the Seafood Responsible Fishing Scheme. We have achieved accreditation from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for hake caught in static nets by our fleet in Newlyn, Cornwall, and we’re seeking MSC accreditation for a further three fisheries, as part of our efforts to provide customers with more sustainable fresh fish and work towards long-term improvements in the marine environment. We have invested heavily in modernising our older vessels, and our entire fleet has International Maritime Organization-compliant engines, minimising carbon emissions.

We’re also able to employ local people on board our fishing vessels and on shore, providing job opportunities, supporting local communities and generating additional regional income through our use of third-party companies, such as those providing materials and services like nets or vessel maintenance. Port dues, market fees and fish-processing provide further economic value and employment. Crew welfare is key for us – we continue to invest in improving conditions for our seagoing workforce, and our vessels are part of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations ‘Safety Folder’ scheme, which ensures on-board safety training and guidance are of the highest standard.