FASFA 25th anniversary

The Frozen At Sea Fillets Association (FASFA) Executive Director Julie Waites reflects on the 25 years of the trade association FASFA.

This year marks a significant milestone for FASFA; the trade group was founded in September 2000, therefore this year marks our  silver anniversary. The Board of Directors and members celebrated this milestone at the recent AGM.

Boyd Line were the first drivers. The late Thomas Boyd and Tim Cartwright-Taylor founded the association, along with others who are still active members today. Their goals were to bring together importers and catchers of frozen at sea fish, to collaborate on quality, and to promote frozen at sea cod and haddock fillets.

There was a strong drive for uniformity to help with the collaboration. This early period saw many practical testing conducted on packaging improvements, the cut of the fish and quality improvements through better handling. This was hugely successful, and quickly resolved and drove the quality mindset, which we are immensely proud to promote to this day.

The association has continued to develop, and its main output is to provide the facts and positive messages regarding frozen at sea cod and haddock fillets from the North Atlantic and Barents Seas. And to raise trade awareness of the high-quality products that our catchers and importers provide.
The Executive Director in charge is responsible for driving this forward, with the cooperation of the Board of Directors. Following the late Tim Cartwright-Taylor, who was the Executive Director and secretariat from 2000 to 2011, came former Seafish CEO John Rutherford, who was succeeded by Malcolm Large in 2019, and Julie Waites from 2019 to the present.

Founder members peaked at 28, but due to mergers and corporate changes, the membership is now half. However, today's members account for the majority of frozen at sea imports into the UK, including significant vessel owners and international operations from the UK, Norway, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. Our members have long-standing ties with many fish and chip business owners, and they frequently visit them in person.

The Association collaborates closely with other organisations to promote and strengthen our core themes, working with the National Federation of Fish Friers, the newly formed UK Seafood Federation, the Norwegian Seafood Council, Promote Iceland, Seafish, Defra, the British Frozen Food Federation, and trade media. National Fish and Chip Day will celebrate its tenth year in June, and we are excited to support initiatives to promote fish and chips on this day.

We are currently facing price rises and quota reductions as a result of the year class issue. There are uncomfortable debates about prices, but we are already seeing some imaginative methods for businesses to maintain margins while weathering the storm. FASFA members who are quota holders and the importers are working closely together to keep prices as fair and realistic as the market conditions will allow.

As we enter 2025, we are in no doubt that it is going to be a tough year ahead with increased food prices, demand on supply, increased running costs and quota reductions. But we remain proactive and focused, driven by increased consumer confidence and technological advancements. The convergence of innovation and sustainable practices will pave the way for new economic opportunities

― Julie Waites, Executive Director FASFA