Experience Oceans of Fun and Feasts at Plymouth Seafood and Harbour Festival

22nd August 2022

Seafood fans are in for a tasty treat as the Plymouth Seafood and Harbour Festival returns to the Barbican and Sutton Harbour on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September 2022. There will be free fishy fun for all the family and the chance to taste some of the finest fayre the ocean has to offer.

Organised by the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership (PWP), the free festival is a vibrant celebration of the incredible, sustainably caught fresh fish and seafood on offer in Britain’s Ocean City, home of the UK’s first National Marine Park. Cooking demonstrations, street food, crafting, entertainment and children’s activities - including a how to catch a ‘Fish Finger’ workshop and a sea life trail - will all be on offer over the two days.

Jon Walton, Chief Executive of PWP, said: “We are delighted to be able to welcome the free Seafood and Harbour Festival back to Plymouth. It is one of our larger events and is always a huge success, with lots of people enjoying the wide range of food stalls, live food demonstrations and entertainment for all of the family.

“As well as being fun, we hope it will show people the importance of the blue economy to our city’s economy and how we are sustainably using the resources of the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park and our wider oceans.

“Myself and Jenny, the new Waterfront Team, are looking forward to getting out and seeing how much the public and businesses are enjoying themselves over the weekend. Huge thanks to everyone who has worked tirelessly to make this happen. We hope everybody has a fantastic time.”

Throughout the weekend the Cookery Theatre on West Pier, next to the Mayflower Steps, will be busy with chefs from some of Plymouth’s popular restaurants; including Supha’s the Treasury, Rockfish, St Elizabeth’s House, the Boathouse and Hook and Line. They will be joined by colleagues from the University of Plymouth and Cornwall and City Colleges, to share how they cook and prepare delicious seafood recipes. The secrets of the deep and its inhabitants will also be explored by the team from the National Marine Aquarium.

Street food will be in abundance with stalls along The Parade, Quay Square and West Pier. They’ll be selling delicious food and drink to enjoy on the day as well as special treats to take home. Soak up the atmosphere with Ventons Devon Cyder’s festival bar and there will be fresh fish and shellfish, authentic Thai food, local gins, cheeses and sweet treats to enjoy as well. Sound Seafood will also have some tasty samples of fresh mackerel and sardines to try.

Trawler boats from Interfish will be moored alongside, and visitors can find out about the fisherman’s experiences out on the ocean.

Meanwhile experts at Plymouth Trawler Agents will show just how to fillet, prepare and eat a sustainable catch. They’ll also have a fantastic display showing species found in the local waters. At 4pm on Sunday the fish will be auctioned off with all proceeds going to the Fisherman’s Mission charity.

The festival’s resident artist, Debby Mason will be selling her beautiful sea themed prints, textiles and mugs. She’s also created a special sea life trail to follow with a sweetie treat to finish!

David French is one of a small number of craftsmen left who can make a Lobster ‘Withy’ willow pot. It takes around five-hours to make a traditional lobster catcher and David, who’s a fifth-generation maker, will be demonstrating the painstaking work involved to create one.

There will be plenty of fun for children too, including scallop shell painting, ‘hook a duck’ with the Fisherman’s Mission, colouring-in and the walking trail to seek out Debbie’s 10 beautiful sea life illustrations.

The Ocean Conservation Trust will be entertaining and challenging the crowds with games to play, including a sinking sharks STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) challenge, a fisherperson dress-up game, how to catch a ‘Fish Finger’ workshop, as well as a variety of artefacts on display. At 11.30am on both days from their stand, visitors can learn more about the inner workings of the squid with a fascinating dissection!

On Saturday, it’s the much-anticipated return of the Cardboard Boat Race. With just cardboard and sticky tape, participants will put their skills to the test and build a boat to sail a course around the harbour. The test of this awesome IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers) event is to be the last one to sink! This sticky-backed ship-building challenge will take place on Saturday between 9am and 4.30pm at the PDSSA Boathouse, Commercial Wharf.

On Sunday also on Commercial Wharf, the Barbican Theatre  will be putting on a great family-friendly comedy show at 3pm. Laugh along with Plymouth Assembleth’s ‘Shodysse’ a hilarious romp through mythology – suitable for ages 8 and upwards.

This year’s Seafood and Harbour Festival has been sponsored by Plymouth-based solar panel experts Eco-Plug. Jordan and Oliver from Eco-Plug, said: "The Eco-Plug team are extremely excited to engage with friendly faces at the festival this year and are on hand to offer free help, advice and support on how to be more sustainable, cost efficient and eco-friendly at home - which has never been more important - as we go through this difficult time with rising energy prices.

“The entire team at Eco-Plug are feeling proud to be title sponsors for Plymouth's Seafood and Harbour Festival 2022, and proud to be able to contribute to bringing this event to the people of Plymouth and surrounding areas. Look out for Eco-Plug's festival stand. We look forward to seeing everybody there!"

The Plymouth Seafood and Harbour Festival is brought to you by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, with the support of event sponsors Eco-Plug, Sutton Harbour Group, Sound Seafood, Venton’s Devon Cyder and Plymouth City Council.

Find out more about the Plymouth Seafood and Harbour Festival.