Fish market tours net £9,000 for Fishermen's Mission

Cold hands and feet were warmed up with a delicious fish breakfast served at Mitch Tonks’ Rockfish Brixham after the final tour of the year.
Now in its 12th year, the Fishermen’s Mission were 'absolutely blown away' to receive a cheque from the fish market tours.
The paying guests were treated to an early 6am start down the quay to experience the sights and sounds behind the scenes at England’s largest fish market by value of fish sold where there can be up to 40 different species. Guests learn about how the fish are sorted and graded and given information regarding traceability of the catch.
Adam Mudge, Neil Watson from Brixham Trawler Agents and volunteer Bruce Graeme Cook guide the guests along the quayside to explain the different vessels fishing out of Brixham, how they operate, the role of the crew and the services BTA provide to support the fleet.
Helen Lovell-Smith, from the Fishermen’s Mission in Devon, explained how grateful they are for donations. She provided an insight into the work they do to support the welfare of fishermen and their families. She said: "“We are delighted that Rockfish organised the tours led by BTA and provide the breakfast in their restaurant looking over the quay. I must thank staff at BTA and all the team at Rockfish. It’s generous of everyone involved to volunteer to get up especially early and donate the proceeds to the work of the Fishermen’s Mission. For every £1 generated, 88p will be spent on providing services for the local fishing community.
"Fishing remains the most dangerous occupation in peacetime UK and our role is to support the self-employed fishermen both active, retired as well as their families. I recently met with a shell-fishermen who has fished for over 26 years, and he is waiting for surgery mainly attributed to the toil of daily shell-fishing on his body. I will seek to support him and his young family during a difficult period for them while he is unable to work. On 6 August this year, I held a quayside memorial service for fisherman who have lost their lives in the pursuit of fish from this area and a log of lost fishermen’s names I am collating was read out which starts in 1817 up to the present day.
"In the last 3 years, along the south coast and Channel Islands, six commercial fishermen have lost their lives and the consequences for families are obviously devastating. The Fishermen’s Mission also supports fishermen by providing healthcare services at the quayside through initiatives like the #SeaFit project. We are looking forward to the ‘Smile Together’ dental tour coming to Brixham next week on October 19 and 20, alongside the ‘Fishing for Better Health’ clinic run by Compass House Medical Centre on October 19.
”If you would like to find out more information about the work of the Fishermen’s Mission or would like support, please contact devon@fishermensmission.org.uk or follow us on @South West England FishMish."