Over 150 tonnes of fish is landed in Cardigan Bay each year and all of it is immediately transported away for sale.
4CG is working with the Fisheries Local Action Group to explore the possibility of creating a processing plant in Cardigan to ensure the local community benefits from more of the value of the catch and to allow the local sale of what is some of the finest seafood in the world.
Lobster, Sea Bass and Spider-crab are all caught locally and whilst there’s strong demand for these delicacies, the catch is sold to merchants for the export market, primarily to Spain, France and Portugal.
Discussions with local fishermen have revealed that the income they receive from this trade route is dropping.
4CG is working with local fisherman to examine the potential in developing alternative trade for local fishermen based on the high-quality, sustainable catch available from Cardigan Bay, bringing more revenue into the local economy.
The first stage of this project is a feasibility study into setting up a processing facility in Cardigan – initially with a single line, but with the capacity for expansion to three should it prove successful.
The feasibility study, funded by the Fisheries Local Action Group has recently been completed, including research into demographics, market size and demand, and the costs involved.
The next step of the project is to explore the availability of a suitable food unit.