For those of you who have seen our Facebook and Instagram pages, you will know all about the fishy topic we are about to discuss. Sourcing Irish fish is a problem many chefs have. Lack of knowledge in some kitchens transfers to not knowing what fish come from where. For example – Sea Bass appears on many restaurant menus, but it isn’t caught wild in Irish waters and isn’t farmed here.

Sea Bass is generally farmed in Greece and other continental countries. So if you see it on a menu and fancy trying it, think first that since it was netted from its cage in the Med, it has been also flown across several countries to get here.

Modern chilling transportation may well keep it looking alert and attractive – but exactly how fresh is the fish on your plate?

Halibut are caught here, but sizes and supplies are inconsistent. For professional kitchens, pre-portioned halibut is often a bonus on profit margins and consistency of supply. So the halibut that is often used usually comes from Norway, where fish grow to large sizes in cold water. Next time you choose it, ask where it was caught, and you will probably find that’s a Norwegian fish you eat, there.

Ireland has a hard-working fishing industry, including many small boats in harbours around the coast, which only go out for a day, or a couple of days, to fish directly off the coast of Ireland. These are not laden with freshwater tanks to keep fish alive for days at sea, nor a never-ending ice supply. So, when they have caught what they can safely hold, they return to port, with fish as bright, vibrant, and fresh as it gets if you don’t catch it yourself.

Are you looking for fresh fish, for that lovely mid-week dinner? Below you will find some suggestions from the Good Food Ireland® Collection.

K O’Connell Fish Merchants – K O’Connell’s has a passionate reputation for the best of Irish fish and they have loyal suppliers in different ports along the Irish coasts but especially Castletownbere.

Atlantis Seafoods – Atlantis Seafoods prides itself on the ability to offer the freshest of catches to clients. Located on Rosslare Road, it has the enviable position of being just a few minutes’ drive from Kilmore Quay Port. Each day, landings come in with the daily catches and Atlantis Seafoods works with fishermen to select the freshest, top quality, locally caught fish.

Mary’s Fish Galway – Mary prides herself on having a close working relationship with local fishermen, who provide her with fresh catch each day from the ports of Galway, Connemara, and more along the western seaboard.