Scottish seafood businesses diversify in face of coronavirus
The sector is diversifying like never before to counter the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, writes Sean Murphy
As demand for Scottish delicacies such as langoustine, prawns and crab plummets due to the decimation of the export and hospitality markets, seafood businesses are coming up with alternative, creative ways to get their valuable produce from sea to plate. Argyll-based Loch Fyne Oysters (LFO) specialises in supplying oysters, salmon and mussels to both trade and consumers in the UK and abroad and, with the export market (which usually accounts for 50 per cent of revenue) at a complete standstill and domestic demand dropping due to nationwide restaurant closures, LFO decided to create its own delivery service.
In a bid to keep its business and the livelihoods of local fishermen afloat while providing a service for the community, LFO launched its “from loch to door” service on Monday, featuring seafood products as well as locally sourced basics including milk, bread and eggs. Argyll & Bute residents will be able to call the customer service team at LFO to place an order and its chilled delivery van will serve different parts of the region each day.
Cameron Brown, Managing Director at LFO, said: “It’s a tough time for everyone at the moment and rural areas are being particularly hard hit. Many older and vulnerable members of the local community don’t have access to cars, and with public transport now even more limited we wanted to put our shoulder to the wheel to provide vital supplies.
“Our delivery service seemed a natural solution and it also helps keeps local suppliers in business. There will be no charge for delivery and products will be sold at a low cost to keep it affordable for local people during these hard times.”
Brown added: “This new delivery service means that our remaining staff are kept busy, while also knowing that they are helping other locals through this difficult period. We have brought in a range of measures to protect our staff and consumers from the coronavirus, including the installation of screens to help maintain social distancing, an intensive handwashing protocol and free staff meals for all. The health and wellbeing of our team is always at the heart of our business and with these new procedures I’m hopeful we can weather this storm together.”
Other Scottish seafood businesses that have introduced new services in response to Covid-19 include; personal chef Mark Heirs delivering free hot meals to the vulnerable and elderly across central Scotland; Scrabster Seafoods Ltd delivering fresh seafood to Caithness and Sutherland; and Harris and Lewis Smokehouse creating a contactless takeaway service and giving free soup for all NHS staff.
Donna Fordyce, Interim Head of Seafood Scotland, said: “It’s fantastic to see how Scottish seafood businesses have adapted to the new world we’re living in. Agility is key in this ever-evolving climate and it’s heartening to know that the seafood sector is not only working hard to protect its own businesses and staff livelihoods but also pulling together to give back to their local communities at a time when they need it most.
“With the forward-thinking, fast response of Scottish seafood businesses to the impact of Covid-19, coupled with the economic support packages for the industry being distributed by the Scottish Government, I’m confident that we will be able to protect the industry and ensure that it’s ready to flourish post-pandemic.”
This week, Seafood Scotland welcomed a package announced by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism Fergus Ewing to support Scotland’s fishing sector. What’s more, it is working closely with the Scottish Government to further bolster financial support for the wider industry in the coming weeks.