The Fishmongers' Company

The Fishmongers’ Company is one of the oldest and most ancient Livery Companies of the City of London, one of the ‘Great Twelve.’ For 700 years it has stood on the banks of the River Thames playing a leading role in upholding the standards in the trading of fish and shellfish . A role it continues today, as well as making a significant contribution to the UK fishing sector and other non-fishery areas through our Philanthropy and Grants projects.

The Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust supports a wide range of projects, grants and convening to:

Build and safeguard a prosperous and sustainable fishing industry, for the benefit of those engaged in it, the environment and our island nation

Under guidance from the Company’s Fish & Fisheries Committee, a small team of specialists work in the Fish & Fisheries Team to manage the Fisheries Charitable Trust’s programmes and wider Company contribution to the fisheries sector.

The Company’s Fish & Fisheries Team engages across the breadth of the UK fisheries sector, facilitating funding for projects, grants, early career sponsorship, and research. They work in collaboration with industry, government, academia, non-governmental and third sector organisations to:

Develop projects that ensure a profitable and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture industry, thriving coastal communities, alongside healthy marine and freshwater environments.

As well as harnessing the Company’s funds, the Fish & Fisheries Team offers expert knowledge and executive support. The Company prides itself on using its reputation, position, and assets to convene around issues of relevance in the areas in which it seeks to contribute.

The Company’s relationship with fish has developed greatly from its founding purpose of controlling fish trade within the City of London, however, we maintain strong links to our namesake trade. The Company runs the Discover Seafood site, connecting the public to locally-caught, in-season seafood, and established the Master Fishmonger Standard, a professional certification scheme, to encourage career progression from early career to Master level. Furthermore, the Company continues to hold a traditional role at Billingsgate Market, where our Fisheries Inspector works to ensure the quality of all seafood sold through the UK’s largest inland fish market.