The Kirkella recently hosted a group of industry professionals, including young fish frier James Ellams.
It was a pleasure to help organise last week's tour on board the Kirkella in Hull for a group of Fish and Chip Shop owners. Throughout the year we have been involved in different initiatives involving the Young Fish Friers, including some of them joining us on our bespoke marketing and trade webinar.
James Ellams, Young Fish Frier reports on his first visit on board the Kirkella:
“As a young fish frier, it is so brilliant to be given the opportunity to see just how great our industry is. I was lucky enough to be invited by Smales Fish Merchants along with some great fish and chip operators,Whiteheads Fish & Chips, Two Gates Fisheries, Carver’s Fish & Chips, Mister C’s and Lighthouse Fisheries of Flamborough to visit the British Kirkella trawler which was in dock for a short time. Julie Waites from FASFA and KFE were also on board for this fun, educational experience.
As we arrived, I couldn’t get over the size of the vessel but didn’t expect the scale of the operation on board. The Kirkella is a British cod and haddock freezer trawler. The Kirkella’s main areas of operation are the Barents Sea, Greenland waters, NAFO (northwest Atlantic) and the Norwegian Sea. Each expedition takes four to six weeks.
We saw the full operation below deck and heard how fish are caught, processed and packaged ready for us to use in our shops. The technology on the bridge was amazing and I got chance to sit in the captain’s chair to experience what it must be like being in control. We had an excellent lunch of fish and chips prepared by the brilliant crew. Being on board really helped me to appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into catching the fish we serve. It was great to share with the crew the passion and skills we all put into preparing quality fish and chips.
If ever you get the opportunity to experience this great British vessel, I thoroughly recommend it!’’