Cornwall has been revealed as the UK's flagship locations for seafood.

That is according to a recent report commissioned by the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation that highlighted its integral role within the economy.

The seafood sector contributes £174 million to the county's gross value added (GVA).

It also found that jobs in the seafood industry are four times more essential to Cornwall than the rest of the UK.

It's not just farming the seas that bolsters Cornwall's position. A whopping 16 per cent of the county's table-service restaurants, not including fish and chip shops, specialise in seafood - the highest concentration in the UK outside London.

Chris Ranford, CEO of the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation, said: "The results of this report are outstanding.

"We always knew the importance of fishing to Cornwall, but this provides the socio-economic evidence to back it up, inform decision-making and attract strategic investment into the industry.

"The symbiotic relationship between fishing, hospitality and tourism is completely unique to Cornwall."

Falmouth Packet: That is according to a recent report commissioned by the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation

The report disclosed that an estimated 8,000 people in Cornwall are employed in the seafood sector.

For every fisherman at sea, there are 15 more jobs on shore in Cornwall – five of those are also linked to tourism.

Malcolm Bell of Visit Cornwall said: "Seafood is a key part of the Cornish brand.

"Holidaying in Cornwall and eating Cornish seafood are one and the same so it’s vital we protect the fishing and seafood industry; without them Cornwall’s tourism economy wouldn’t perform as well."

The appreciation for Cornish seafood extends beyond the shores of the county.

Ben Tunnicliffe, head chef at The Tolcarne Inn, which is well known for its seafood dishes, said: "Without fishing I wouldn’t have a business.

"Cornish fish has a lovely reputation around the country and abroad but we’re lucky, being able to use it direct as it comes off the boat and that’s what the visitors coming to Cornwall expect to see."

The research, commissioned by the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation following their Cornish Fishing Strategy in 2021, is expected to refocus the strategic vision for the Cornish seafood industry post-Brexit.

Four primary areas of action, including science and sustainability, ports infrastructure, recruitment and retention, and communications and marketing, were identified.

The report's findings are anticipated to guide regional and national decision-making and underpin strategic investment into Cornwall’s seafood sector.