Fathom podcast steams on with support from Seafarers UK

The podcast that has kept us in the loop during these uncertain times, by bringing together voices from across the fishing industry, has received continued funding support from Seafarers UK.

Led by the Cornish Fish Producers’ Organisation, Fathom launched in 2019 and is the UK’s only commercial fishing podcast, it features interviews with fishers, producer organisations, regulators and more, helping listeners get below the surface of the UK fishing industry.

Throughout Brexit, followed swiftly by the unsettling COVID-19 pandemic, Fathom has adapted with rapid response episodes to answer important, emerging questions concerning the fishing industry. These episodes have featured interviews with Victoria Prentis MP, Fisheries Minister, Barrie Deas, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisation and Tom McCormack, Chief Executive Officer of the Marine Management Organisation.

Deborah Layde, Grants Director at Seafarers UK says, “For Seafarers UK, Fathom has shown breadth, depth and sector-wide intelligence in its choice of topics and guests. Episodes have been strongly grounded to meet fishers’ need for information in an easily digestible format, and topics are tuned in to the needs of the moment - covering wellbeing, safety, welfare and legislative updates. We believe Fathom has become a mechanism to support the industry and has a future rooted in fishers’ needs.”

Recently, Fathom has also hosted Seafish Chief Exec, Marcus Coleman, and Kara Brydson, Executive Director of Fisheries Innovation Scotland. These marketing and innovation conversations have helped fishermen to collectively navigate uncertain waters. However, it’s not just industry experts that Fathom invites on as guests, the podcast regularly hears directly from fishers too.

“Great podcast that allows fishermen’s voices to be heard. Covers relevant and interesting topics to members of the fishing industry in the UK.” A review from a Fathom listener.

Additional funding will ensure Fathom’s hub of industry insight, knowledge sharing and on-the-ground experience can continue into the future. Fathom host and Chief Executive of the Cornish PO, Paul Trebilcock, outlines what we can expect from the next six months of Fathom: “There are many more pressing topics to explore on the horizon - from going behind the scenes of the all-important Fisheries Bill to youth engagement, women in fishing and revisiting the topic of our very first episode back in October 2019 ‘The Future of Our Inshore Fisheries’. A big thanks to Seafarers UK for helping us continue to produce content. Please keep listening!”

To announce the additional funding support from Seafarers UK, Fathom is running a short competition – starting from today (23rd July 2020). Share a video on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram with #ListeningToFathom of you listening to the podcast wherever you most enjoy - your boat, net shed, quayside, van, gym, for example! - for the chance to win one of three waterproof speakers. The competition ends on 7th August where winners will be picked at random.