European Funding Supports Innovative Local Catch App

The Local Catch app and website allows users of smart phones, tablets and computers to receive alerts telling them where they can buy fresh seafood recently caught in their area. The project, created by South East Seafood, was awarded over 50,000 through the EFF.

The development should boost the price south coast fishermen receive for their catch as well as helping consumers obtain fresh, local produce.

Henriette Reinders, Director of South East Seafood, explains: The launch of Local Catch means a lot for the local fishing community. It will put them in contact with a much wider range of buyers than ever before, creating a better deal for everyone involved.

This is a truly unique opportunity and one of the only ways to really be sure youre getting fresh local fish on the day its caught. Residents along on the south coast are the first to trial this exciting scheme. If everyone in the community gets behind Local Catch it could be a real local success story, revolutionising the way we get our fish.

Local fisherman Roger Ramsden, who fishes off the coast of Hayling Island, said: I think its fantastic news and a really great opportunity for the local fishing community and lovers of fish. There are lots of people who may not previously have known how to get their hands on fresh fish and seafood, so I am really looking forward to letting local people know about what I catch.

Its great to have a way to reach out and tell local people what Ive caught. Im really hoping lots of local people download the app.

And its not just consumers who can benefit from the app, as Henriette explains that local chefs and restaurants can get involved too: We are really keen for chefs, restaurants, pubs, cafes, delis and fishmongers to use Local Catch too they simply need to register in the same way as members of the public would. Once theyve purchased from their local fishermen they are then able to send out an alert that lets people in the local area know theyve got fresh, locally caught seafood on the menu.

Around 38 million has been made available through the European Fisheries Fund to help the English fishing industry to become more sustainable.

Henriette said of the scheme: The funding received from the European Fisheries Fund has really helped the project take off. I would encourage anyone who has an idea for a project to apply for funding.

Local Catch is free to download now from the Android Market and will be launching on Apples App Store in September 2012. Its also available online at www.localcatch.co.uk.