Top 10 Best Fishery Companies in Adur

Adur's Maritime Fishing Heritage

Fishing has been woven into the life of Adur for centuries. Shoreham-by-Sea grew as a harbour town, and inshore fishing boats have long worked the waters off Shoreham and Lancing for sole, plaice, bass, cuttlefish, crab and lobster. Today the sector is smaller than in the past, but it remains culturally important and is supported by regulators, markets, angling organisations and conservation bodies that work to keep fish stocks healthy.

The ten organisations and businesses below represent the most significant players in fisheries for Adur, spanning commercial fishing, regulation, markets and recreational angling.

1. Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority

Sussex IFCA is based in Shoreham-by-Sea and manages inshore fisheries along the Sussex coast out to six nautical miles. It balances the needs of commercial fishermen, anglers and the marine environment through byelaws, monitoring and enforcement. Its work, including measures to protect kelp habitats, has made it a nationally recognised voice in sustainable inshore fisheries management.

2. Shoreham Port

Shoreham Port provides berths and facilities for the local fishing fleet alongside its commercial cargo operations. The harbour offers safe moorings and access to the sea for inshore vessels, supporting the small-scale fishing businesses that continue to operate from Shoreham.

3. Brighton and Newhaven Fish Sales

Brighton and Newhaven Fish Sales operates fish market and processing services on the Sussex coast. It buys catches from local boats and supplies restaurants, fishmongers and wholesalers, helping fish landed along the Sussex coastline reach customers quickly and fresh.

4. Passies Ponds

Passies Ponds, located in Coombes near Lancing, is a popular coarse fishery set in the Adur Valley. Its well-stocked lakes attract anglers of all abilities looking for carp, tench, roach and other species in a peaceful countryside setting just minutes from the coast.

5. Seafish

Seafish is the public body that supports the UK seafood industry. It provides research, training, market insight and responsible sourcing guidance that benefit fishermen, processors and retailers across Sussex, including those connected to Shoreham.

6. Marine Stewardship Council

The Marine Stewardship Council runs the world's leading certification programme for sustainable wild-caught seafood. Its blue label helps consumers and restaurants identify responsibly sourced fish, and its standards influence how fisheries around the UK coast are managed.

7. Worthing Sea Anglers Association

Worthing Sea Anglers Association is a long-established angling club whose members fish the shores and piers along the coast between Worthing and Shoreham. The club organises competitions, promotes responsible angling and passes on knowledge to new generations of sea anglers.

8. Furnace Lakes

Furnace Lakes near Slinfold is a well-known Sussex fishery offering carp and coarse fishing across several lakes. Anglers from Adur frequently travel to venues like this for specimen fishing and well-managed facilities.

9. Wylands International Angling Centre

Wylands, near Battle in East Sussex, is a respected angling destination with multiple lakes, coaching and competitions. It has hosted major angling events and is a favourite for serious match and carp anglers from across the county.

10. Billingsgate Market

Billingsgate in London is the UK's largest inland fish market. Many Sussex fishmongers and restaurant suppliers source from Billingsgate alongside local landings, ensuring a year-round supply of a wide variety of seafood for businesses in Adur.

Trends in Fisheries and Seafood

Sustainability is the dominant theme in modern fisheries. Inshore fishermen in Sussex increasingly use selective gear, observe minimum landing sizes and participate in data collection to support stock assessments. The recovery of kelp forests off the Sussex coast, supported by restrictions on trawling, is a high-profile example of how fisheries management and habitat conservation can work together.

Consumers are also showing growing interest in local, seasonal seafood and lesser-known species such as gurnard, black bream and cuttlefish. Direct sales from boats, online fish boxes and partnerships with local restaurants help small fishing businesses capture more value from their catch.

Recreational Angling in Adur

Recreational angling is popular throughout Adur. Shoreham Beach, Lancing seafront and the harbour arms offer excellent sea fishing for bass, mackerel, flatfish and bream, while the River Adur and freshwater ponds attract coarse anglers. Angling supports tackle shops, charter boats and tourism, and contributes to wellbeing by encouraging people to spend time outdoors. Anglers can help protect fish stocks by following local regulations, practising catch and release where appropriate and recording catches for conservation research.

How to Support Local Fisheries

Residents and businesses can support Adur's fishing heritage by choosing locally landed seafood, asking fishmongers and restaurants about origin and seasonality, and favouring sustainably certified products. Restaurants that showcase local catches help create a market for small-scale fishermen and tell a compelling story about the region's maritime identity.

Conclusion

From the regulators at Sussex IFCA in Shoreham to tranquil coarse fisheries in the Adur Valley, fisheries remain an important part of the district's economy and culture. The organisations listed here help keep fishing sustainable, connect catches to customers and offer anglers rewarding experiences, ensuring that Adur's long relationship with the sea continues for generations to come.