NorthSeaChefs and Gadus partner up to bring North Sea species to light

NorthSeaChefs and recently-acquired Icelandic Gadus signed a collaboration agreement on Tuesday, 25 April in Brussels, Belgium during Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global 2017, in a collective effort to bring more fish and shellfish from the North Sea to consumer tables.  

Through the partnership, NorthSeaChefs – a Belgian organization comprised of top chefs who promote the culinary use of unfamiliar seafood species as well as bycatch – will be able to market lesser known North Sea species such as whiting, red gurnard and hake to consumer markets, with Icelandic Gadus acting as a logistics and production partner.

Nieuwpoort, Belgium-based Gadus – which was purchased from the Icelandic Group by Steinasalir earlier this month on 7 April – and NorthSeaChefs are confident in the marketing potential and general edibility of North Sea species given the current evolution of consumer trends, which favor sustainability and healthy choices.

“People are increasingly preoccupied with their food and health,” said NorthSeaChefs founder Filip Claeys. “Origin and sustainability are playing a primary role more than ever before. Consumers’ choice is determined by the local and seasonal nature of fresh produce. By offering a range of fish caught with respect from our own waters, we are responding to that demand while simultaneously helping our own fishermen.”

The partnership will ultimately allow for consumers to better access new species, and branch out away from traditional seafood fare such as salmon and cod, according to NorthSeaChefs. By working together, the newly-minted partners believe they can bring more North Sea species to restaurants and shops, creating and building out the value surrounding those unfamiliar fish and shellfish as well as supporting the fishermen who catch them.