SEAFOOD Scotland’s widely acclaimed Seafood in Schools programme is visiting Kirkcaldy High School on Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th October, with a roadshow to help pupils learn all about the Scottish seafood industry.
Pupils from Torbain, Fair Isle, Valley and Capshar primaries will join in with the activities, finding out where seafood comes from, how it gets to their plates, why it is good to eat as part of a healthy diet, and what careers are available in the seafood industry. Around 350 children will benefit from the workshops.
A fresh fish counter, always a highlight of Seafood in Schools events, will be manned on the first day by Ian Murray, skipper of the Anstruther Fisheries Museum’s herring drifter, the ‘Reaper’, whilst the Sainsbury’s Kirkcaldy seafood team take over on day two. Pupils will be able to see and handle a variety of fresh and live species including crab, lobster, langoustine, cod, haddock, monkfish, squid and more.
“I am looking forward to promoting the health benefits of eating fish to the children, and particularly enjoy showing them the fresh fish. I start by showing them some herring and mackerel, explain how and where the fish are caught, and encourage the children to handle the fish. The trick is to keep the talk light-hearted but informative. As a fishing skipper of some 22 years’ experience, I can generally field the most searching questions, but there is always one that takes you by surprise!” said Ian Murray.
Seafood for the display is generously provided by Sainsbury’s and George Campbell & Sons, whilst the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO) is providing a fresh salmon, which will later be donated to the home economics department for cooking.
Scott Landsburgh, CEO of SSSPO said: “We are delighted to continue our support for such a fun and informative programme. Encouraging kids to eat a healthy balanced diet that includes fish rich in omega 3 such as salmon is really important for improving concentration and enhancing brain development.
“The salmon farming industry plays an important part in many rural communities across Scotland and we hope this programme will inform families of some of the benefits it brings including the positive impact it has on the Scottish economy.”
Catriona Frankitti of the Fish for Health project, which specialises in teaching pupils about the benefits of eating seafood high in Omega 3 as part of a healthy diet, will be hosting ‘Come Dine With Me’ sessions, with tastings supplied by key supporters of Seafood in Schools. These include hot smoked mackerel (Tesco), sweet marinated herring (Sainsbury’s), sprats (John West/International Fish Canners), smoked salmon (Sainsbury’s) and trout (R.R. Spinks at Sainsbury’s), with oatcakes sponsored by Nairns.
Completing the roadshow, two chefs from Fife College, Scot Lyall and Andrew Main, will demonstrate how fish is filleted and prepared, and show the children how to make smoked mackerel pate and a tasty Scottish haddock dish, with recipe leaflets to take home.
All classes taking part in the workshops commit to undertaking a seafood-based project during the year, to improve their understanding of the seafood industry to Scotland, and to deliver the message to the rest of their school.
A community event for parents and siblings is also an important part of the Seafood in Schools and Fish for Health projects, and local coordinator Maria Anderson and the workshop presenters will welcome visitors at Kirkcaldy High School from 1630 – 1830 on Tuesday 28th October, to test their knowledge, see what their children have learnt, and taste the seafood.
*ENDS*
Photocall with the children: 1100 Tuesday 28th October. (Alternative timings by arrangement).
To arrange a photocall or for further press enquiries, please contact Martin Hunt on 07767 401 760, martin@tartansilk.co.uk
Note to Editors:
Seafood Scotland is an industry organisation that works throughout the supply-chain with fishermen, fish/shellfish farmers, processors, retailers, food service companies, caterers, NGOs and consumers to develop & enhance the competitive performance, quality practices and global reputation of a sustainable Scottish seafood industry. It is the delivery partner for Seafish in Scotland. Seafood Scotland manages the Seafood in Schools project. For more information please visit: http://www.seafoodscotland.org
Seafood in Schools is a project that aims to teach children about Scottish seafood; where it comes from, how it reaches our plates, and why eating seafood is good for us. It is funded by Scottish Government, Seafish, Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation, the Scottish Fishermen’s Trust and the Scottish Whitefish Producers’ Association, and also relies on in-kind contributions and involvement by the fishing and aquaculture industries.
For more information please contact: Nicki Holmyard, SiS Manager on 0771 127 2637 nicki@seafoodscotland.org or visit: http://www.seafoodinschools.org
Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO) is at the centre of salmon farming’s industry-wide initiatives and public communication, acting as a trusted source of information, a strong industry voice and a focus through which industry leadership and objectives can be channelled.
Set up in 2006 as an industry organisation for Scottish salmon farming, SSPO encompasses over 95 per cent of the tonnage of Scottish salmon production and all members participate in the Code of Good Practice for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture. The organisation plays a central role in representing the industry on political, regulatory, media and technical issues in Scotland, the UK, EU and internationally.
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