Feasiblity Study for the Plymouth Fish Market
Press Release
A report which sets out a potential future for the Plymouth Fish Auction site was presented yesterday (31 March) to a gathering of the city’s fishers.
The report, produced by Tegen Mor Fisheries Consultants Ltd, was commissioned by Sutton Harbour Company, Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association and Plymouth City Council to understand the potential to reinstate an auction in the city.
Attendees were told that the reinstatement of a fish auction on the Fish Quay site to directly replace the one that was lost would be unviable due to the significant upfront investment required combined with the ongoing running costs of the auction, combined with reductions in landings of quota species and reduced demand from larger processors.
The audience was informed by Tegen Mor Ltd. that this is not just an issue that Plymouth faces but was a national issue due to changes in the way in the fishing industry is operating.
However, the report sets out that the fishing industry remains strong in the city with landings in 2024 reaching around £12m, making Plymouth the 4th largest port by landings in England.
The report goes on to set out potential opportunities for the city to explore to reinvent the market and support the fishing industry to continue to land their catch here by driving revenue streams to meet the ongoing costs of maintaining and servicing the landing equipment, storage facilities and other services provided to fishers currently at the site.
It states that, to continue to provide the existing services for the fishing industry, new income streams should be identified and instated. This could include repurposing some of the now available space at the site to enhance the existing retail offering, create spaces to deliver sustainable seafood cookery classes and potentially include a restaurant offering.
Council Leader Tudor Evans said: “We are keen to keep Plymouth fishing and will be looking to prioritise continued support for the fish market site in our conversations and economic development initiatives.
“The fishing industry in Plymouth is part of our fabric and identity. It’s been here for hundreds of years and is as much a part of Plymouth as the Naval Base we must focus on retaining the facilities that allow boats to continue to fish from Plymouth and to land their catch here. We will look to embed this as a priority within our economic planning for the future and will be supportive of activities that complement this offering.”
Philip Beinhaker, CEO of SHC said: "Fishing is an important part of the historical legacy and current industrial activity in Plymouth. The Fish Quay carries within it tremendous potential and opportunity for a modern multi-purposed site to include, among other things, industrial, retail, commercial, educational and research uses to enliven the quarter and provide new facilities and avenues for the industry for years to come.
The report has been published following news that Plymouth Trawler Agents, the company which ran the fish auction, is officially winding up its accounts and is voluntarily liquidating.
The fish auction at Fish Quay in Sutton Harbour ceased operation in May 2024, meaning fishing vessels landing fish in the city no longer had a local auction to sell their catch. The fish is now transported to other local auctions such as Brixham and Newlyn.
An executive summary of the report can be found on the Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association website.
Edward Baker from the PFSA said “It is sad and worrying not to have an auction in Plymouth, its absence increases costs for vessels and merchants on the quay. Our job now is to find ways that we can compensate for the increases in costs by increasing the quantity and value of their sales.”
Executive Summary
Plymouth has long been a cornerstone of the UK’s seafood industry, playing a vital role in supporting the South West’s fishing economy. In 2024, it was the fourth largest fish landing port in England, with landings valued at £11.9 million. The port supports a diverse fleet of inshore and offshore vessels, with employment across catching, processing, and ancillary services.
The sudden closure of Plymouth Trawler Agents (PTA) and its fish auction in May 2024 has had a profound impact on the local fishing community and associated businesses. The closure resulted in increased costs and logistical burdens, with vessels and processors now reliant on auctions in Brixham and Newlyn. This has placed financial strain on small-scale operators and wholesalers, undermining local economic resilience.
In response, Plymouth City Council, Sutton Harbour Group, and the Plymouth Fishing & Seafood Association commissioned this feasibility study to examine the potential for re-establishing a fish auction in Plymouth. The study also considers alternative strategies to maintain and grow the local seafood sector and ensure Plymouth remains a viable and thriving fishing port.
The report explored four future scenarios:
Scenario A: Full-scale relaunch of a fish auction akin to the previous PTA operation.
Scenario B: Establishment of a satellite auction connected to an existing auction (e.g. Newlyn).
Scenario C: Redevelopment of the market building into a mixed-use commercial and seafood destination, integrating retail, hospitality, and public engagement with the fishing industry.
Scenario D: Maintaining the current status quo with chilled storage to support overland sales.
Key Findings
Market Viability: The financial case for reopening a traditional or satellite auction is weak, with limited commitment from major fleet operators and external buyers. Rising operational costs and reduced volumes of auctionable fish further diminish feasibility.
Supply and Demand Dynamics: While Plymouth’s fleet remains active and modern, the volume of demersal species available for auction is limited. Brixham and Newlyn continue to dominate the auction market, benefiting from scale and infrastructure.
Stakeholder Perspectives: Local fishers and wholesalers support re-establishing a local auction, citing the importance of reducing costs and maintaining market access. However, key external buyers show little interest, making the economic sustainability of such a venture uncertain.
Strategic Opportunity: There is support for redeveloping the fish market building into a mixed-use space that elevates Plymouth as a seafood destination, provides essential services to the fleet, and supports local economic development.
External Risks: The fishing industry faces significant challenges from the development of Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) and climate-induced changes in marine ecosystems, both of which could reduce future fish landings.
Recommendations
Stakeholders should consider development of a communication plan to provide assurance to the local fishing community and wider public that the Sutton Harbour fish quay continues to operate; providing the local fishing fleet with goods and services enabling them to land c.£12m of catches into Plymouth in 2024 and into the future.
For the harbour to remain economically sustainable as a major fishing port the owners and stakeholders should identify (or lobby Government for) funds to re-visit previous plans (2018) to transform the fish quay area. A re-design of the market building would provide scope for greater economic return from the building through the provision of opportunities for mixed retail, foodservice, direct sales to public, and education through greater public access (i.e. Option C within this report).
Stakeholders will/should explore using technology and innovative approaches to directly connect fishers with consumers to maximise the value of landings from the inshore fleet.
Stakeholders should consider making representations to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for a ring-fenced allocation of funds under the next round of Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS funding) in 2025/26 to improve the competitiveness of catching and processes businesses in Plymouth directly financially impacted by the closure of the fish market.