The Seafood Grimsby and Humber Alliance represents the region’s seafood and trading processing cluster.
The Seafood Grimsby & Humber Alliance (SGHA) has been appointed the new custodian of the UK’s Master Fishmonger Standard (MFS), succeeding The Fishmongers’ Company in this role. The MFS, which recognizes various levels of achievement in the fishmonger profession, encompasses five certification tiers.
The Fishmongers’ Company, formally known as The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers, is one of the historic Livery Companies of the City of London. It ranks fourth in the order of precedence of the City’s Livery Companies, making it one of the “Great Twelve City Livery Companies.”
The Seafood Grimsby and Humber Alliance represents the region’s seafood and trading processing cluster, which is composed of around 70 companies with more than 5,500 employees and that together support a further 10,000 jobs along the value chain.
SGHA’s chairperson, Simon Smith, noted their commitment to uphold the standard, with team member Julie Waites playing a key role due to her extensive experience in the seafood industry. The Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust’s Chairman, Nigel Bankes, and Prime Warden, Fred Stroyan, expressed confidence in SGHA’s ability to continue the MFS’s legacy of recognizing excellence in the fishmonger trade.
SGHA aims to make the MFS accessible to all sectors of the UK’s seafood industry, including independent retailers, large suppliers, and mobile operators. The alliance’s involvement is expected to enhance skill recognition and development across the industry, from large-scale processors to independent fishmongers.
The Master Fishmonger Standard
The Master Fishmonger Standard (MFS) is a certification program established to recognize and uphold high standards within the fishmonger trade. It is designed to celebrate skilled craftsmanship, quality seafood, and responsible, sustainable practices within the industry. The MFS program recognizes achievement across various levels and disciplines within the field of fishmongery. It is composed of several tiers of recognition, catering to different levels of expertise and experience in the profession. These tiers typically include:
- MFS Recognised Fishmonger: An entry-level certification acknowledging basic skills and knowledge.
- MFS Advanced Fishmonger: For those demonstrating more advanced skills and a deeper understanding of the trade.
- MFS Master Fishmonger: The highest level of recognition for exemplary skills and extensive knowledge in fishmongery.
- MFS Companion Fishmonger: A designation for individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry or the MFS.
- MFS Craft Fishmonger: Recognizes those who excel in the artisanal aspects of the trade.
Becoming certified under the MFS allows fishmongers to showcase their traditional craft skills and commitment to the trade. It also serves as a mark of quality and expertise for consumers, ensuring that they are purchasing from professionals who are knowledgeable about responsible and sustainable fish sourcing and handling practices.
Originally developed by The Fishmongers’ Company, a historical institution in the UK with a long-standing association with the fish trade, the MFS is an important part of maintaining and elevating standards in the seafood industry.
Founded in the medieval period, the Fishmongers’ Company has a history that stretches back over 700 years. The company originally served as a trade association for fishmongers in London, regulating the fish trade in the city and ensuring the quality and freshness of fish sold.
