Seafood kiosk at Pittenweem to support harbour’s fishing fleet

Freshly landed seafood is back on sale at Pittenweem harbour, despite plans for a shop failing to get off the ground this year.

A kiosk opened at the weekend and will run seven days a week through July and August.

Operated by the Fishermen’s Mutual Association (FMA) Pittenweem, it sells locallylanded langoustines, crabs and lobsters.

The kiosk was launched last summer and proved a hit.

The FMA hoped to replace it with a shop, but has yet to win approval from the local authority. Negotiations continue.

FMA manager Tom Mackenzie said: “We are disappointed that Fife Council rejected our plan for a shop in the fish market, but the kiosk is in place and ready for another busy summer.”

The FMA represents Fife’s East Neuk prawn boat fleet, and the kiosk aims to boost the ailing industry. Most shellfish landed at Pittenweem is packed into lorries and goes to Peterhead or Mintlaw, in Aberdeenshire, for processing and packing.

From there it is exported mainly to Spain, France and Italy, hardly ever sold in Fife hotels or restaurants.

Last year the FMA worked with Viv Collie, of Savour St Andrews, to provide langoustines for the St Andrew’s Day Dinner.

Viv and Tom also worked on the East of Scotland Seafood Project to help highlight the availability of top quality local produce to local chefs.

Tom said: “We have been making some inroads with local businesses, and now both St Andrews Links Trust and the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa are regular customers.”

The kiosk is open from 10am to 5pm.