Update - News Letter

Fish Market Modernisation – GFDE have been awarded grant money from two sources, Yorkshire Forward and the European Fisheries Fund. They are now working with North East Lincolnshire Council to finalise the bids for equipment prior to work commencing. The delay is frustrating for all especially when so much time and effort has already been put in to reach this stage.

Fish supply – we are frequently asked why the forward information is last minute and often inaccurate. The simple answer is we are at the mercy of the supplier. If, for whatever reason, the supplier chooses to withhold information or switch containers between ports there is nothing we can do. Ultimately it is the market that suffers, volume and revenue decrease and merchants are driven to source direct.
Year on year the market is down 30 percent. We hear the Icelandic cod quote will be increased in September conversely we also hear the haddock quota will be reduced due to declining stock. Iceland faces many internal challenges and we are caught in the middle. The North Sea recovery and Scottish landings is also affecting the Humber.
The FMA is working with GFDE to try and stabilize supply and identify alternatives.

Training – There’s never a good time but we’re all aware the age profile of members’ is increasing. The industry needs fresh blood. Seafood is a valuable protein and we need to portray an industry that offers career opportunities. Therefore in conjunction with the Humber Seafood Institute and Grimsby Institute we submitted a proposal for a grant to fund a six month pilot for filleting/knife skills and fish mongering. I’m pleased to report our application was successful and we will commence recruitment within the next few weeks.

ABP – We have all seen the positive signs of improvement with demolition and a change to the layout of some port estate roads.
North Quay – I have received many complaints from members’ about the deplorable condition of this road. I’m pleased to report the programme of works to completely resurface the road will commence in the next two to three weeks with initial preparation followed by complete repair. The whole job should take about six to eight weeks.
Environmental Health Inspections – as you are aware EHO inspections have been taking place for some time.
Inevitably there will be merchants / premises that do not meet the necessary standards ultimately this could lead to notices being served, factory approval numbers withdrawn and in the worst case scenario closure.

The Association whilst welcoming this long overdue inspection regime is conscious that some members will not be able to make the necessary improvements especially to buildings. Likewise we cannot condone poor standards if there is a perceived threat to food safety; therefore will not be able to defend those companies who have ignored warnings and are in breach of the legislation.

Fish Settlement – this remains the financial cornerstone of the industry but we are only as good as the information we receive. If there are times when you will not be using the settlement please notify the office. Also if you change banks we need the details.
We have tried to make it easy for members’ to pay and submit their details e.g.:
You can send your payment instructions (green sheet) electronically; if you choose this method the VAT is calculated automatically. You can pay your settlement electronically direct into the FMA account.
If you would like further details please contact the office.


Seafood By-products (offal)
Ever wondered what happens to your waste when it’s collected by either JHS or UFI? Seafood waste is a valuable raw material JHS process for the human food chain and UFI convert into marine proteins. Both companies would like merchants’ to have a greater understanding of their processes.
We are fortunate to have two processors who pay for raw material. In many parts of the UK processors have to pay for disposal. The cost of landfill is £40 per tonne.
If you would like to visit these factories please let me know and I will make the arrangements.

FMA Centenary – The Association celebrates its centenary in 2011. To mark this historic occasion we have commissioned a book charting the FMA’s history. To date many people have been interviewed, sadly some have since died. All members will receive a free copy. If you have any old, unusual photographs particularly of people I’d be delighted to have them copied.

Other matters – It has been 18 months since GFDE introduced the pass system and it appears to be working quite well. Please note GFDE reserve the right to challenge pass holders and ask for proof of employment. The onus is on the person who requested the passes. GFDE will ban individuals who are not bona-fidi. If you suspect someone is not genuine report the matter to Martyn Boyers.

Barclays – Dan Wilson, Barclays Corporate Relationship Director for the Humber region, would like to meet new and existing clients with a particular focus on the Seafood Industry, to identify solutions and offer support whilst providing a high level of customer service. With 14 years of experience with Barclays Dan has proven invaluable in understanding the requirements of both the bank and the customer and has built up product knowledge not only on the corporate/commercial but throughout the bank. If you would like to discuss or review your present banking arrangements you can call Dan direct on 07775 555197 or a member of his team on 01482 332550.

Forrester Boyd - Taxing Times- Don’t let your tax allowances slip through the net!

The recent emergency budget highlighted the current state of the country’s finances and the steps the Government feel are necessary to balance the books.

This will obviously affect us all, regardless of whether we pay tax through PAYE, are self employed or run our business through a limited company. It is more important than ever that we make full use of all available allowances and reliefs so as to legitimately reduce our tax liabilities and ensure we are not paying too much tax.

Many of the tax increases announced in the Budget will not come into effect until April 2012, which provides us all with the opportunity to review what allowances are available. The notable exceptions in the Budget were the changes to capital gains tax that took immediate effect and the increase in VAT from 17.5% to 20% on 4 January 2011.

So what can you do to ensure we are not paying too much tax? If you are employed the starting point is to check your PAYE code number. HMRC’s new computer system has caused many problems and has led to the issue of many thousands of incorrect code numbers for 2010/2011. All employees should therefore check their code number, especially if they are in receipt of benefits in kind, to ensure it is correct. This is a simple but effective way to ensure tax is not overpaid.

If you are self employed, in partnership or run your business through a limited company, then generous tax allowances are available if you purchase certain capital items, such as plant or machinery or vans. These allowances will significantly reduce your tax liability.

The March 2010 Budget increased the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) from £50,000 to £100,000 for the current tax year. The AIA allows businesses to fully write off the cost of certain expenditure and obtain a valuable tax deduction.

Although the majority of cars do not qualify for the AIA, the allowance is available for the purchase of commercial vehicles, vans and lorries. However from 1 April 2012 for limited companies and 6 April 2012 for unincorporated businesses, this allowance reduces to £25,000. If you are considering purchasing major items of plant and machinery then it would be tax efficient to buy them before April 2012 to gain the maximum benefit. For the purposes of the AIA it should be borne in mind a double cab pick up is not a car, it is a van and therefore qualifies for full tax relief subject to the £100,000 limit

Paul Chappell of Forrester Boyd will be pleased to help with any questions you may have on the above on 01472 350601.


Bygones – the following is a selection of articles that have appeared in the Grimsby Telegraph. I wonder what happened to the port modernisation proposal.
February 1973
GRIMSBY fish merchants were given the chance of owning their own part of the fish docks.
The Docks Board told the Fish Merchants Association it expected its members to buy the south and west markets where most of them would be housed under the port's modernisation plan.
December 1973...
TWENTY fishermen set out on a £2,000 Christmas shopping spree in Grimsby.
They were from the first two Icelandic trawlers to land at the port since the lumpers had lifted their ban.
Together the two pocket-sized vessels, Haukafell and Olafur Tyggvson, grossed over £18,500 for just 900 kits of fish.
Afterwards, Eymar Inguansson (32), skipper of the Haukafell, said: We are glad to be back and we are well satisfied with what we made.
With fish still fetching sky high prices, the trawlers were set to make a bumper trip.
Skipper Bjorn Jonsson of the Olafur Tryggvson said: "We are looking forward to doing some shopping. Clothes, toys and most articles are much cheaper in Grimsby - and there is a lot more variety."
He estimated that each crew member would spend at least £100 before they left for home.
March 1994....

A GRIMSBY fish merchant was set to hit the news after buying up a rare breed of fish caught off the coast of Ireland.
The catch of Forkbeard was landed at Grimsby docks and fish merchant Bill Hobson was quick to snatch it up.
A camera crew from ITN heard about the catch and Mr Hobson was asked to act out buying the fish.