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Down The Cove
Coastal story3 min readUpdated 14 Jul 2017

A load of old Cobblers

Not all 'fresh' fish is created equal. Some travels half the world before it reaches the counter, while a day-boat catch from a Cornish cove is barely a tide old. Here is why where your fish comes from matters, and the simple questions that help you choose the best.

A quiet Down The Cove story for coastal memories, family reads and a slower look at Cornwall.

Working coast

Story notes

Why this heritage matters. A few calm notes before you settle into the full read.

It makes a small coastal building feel significant: a warm doorway into Cornwall's working past.

Coastal memoryThe coastal detail or memory at the heart of it.

A net loft is more than a building. It carries the practical memory of working boats, wet rope, stored gear and coastal families.

People & placeThe people, place or local feeling behind the read.

This story is rooted in Mullion Cove and the quiet labour of the people who made a living from the sea.

Then and nowHow the story connects old and modern Cornwall.

Places like this help the old working coast stay visible, even as the way we visit and use the shore changes.

Read with familyA gentle way to share the story at home or on a trip.

A lovely one to read before or after visiting a cove, especially with children who are curious about old buildings and fishing life.

The full story

Read straight through, or use the story notes above to settle into the place, memory and detail.

This archived Down The Cove article looks at the difference between truly fresh fish and fish sold through long supply chains.

It argues for choosing local fishmongers and coastal suppliers where possible, especially when imported white fish is marketed as fresh after a long journey.

What is river cobbler?

River cobbler, also sold as basa or pangasius, is a farmed freshwater catfish, usually from the Mekong in Vietnam. It is cheap, mild and convenient, and is often marketed as 'fresh' white fish, but it may have travelled thousands of miles through a long supply chain before it reaches a UK plate.

Why local, day-boat fish is different

Fish landed by a local day boat can be on sale within hours of leaving the water, so it is genuinely fresh, fully traceable, and supports the small inshore fleet that keeps Cornish harbours alive. You also get the pleasure of the seasons, eating whatever the boats happened to bring in that morning.

The questions worth asking

Wherever you buy, ask where the fish came from, when it was landed, and whether it has been previously frozen. A good fishmonger will know, and will happily suggest a fresh, local, seasonal alternative if what you fancy has had to travel a long way to reach you.

Common questions

What is river cobbler?
A farmed freshwater catfish, also called basa or pangasius, usually imported frozen from Vietnam. It is mild and cheap, but is often sold as 'fresh' white fish after a long journey.
Is local fish really fresher than supermarket fish?
Usually, yes. Day-boat fish can be on sale within hours of landing, whereas some supermarket fish has travelled a long way and may have been previously frozen.
How can I be sure my fish is fresh?
Ask where and when it was caught, check the eyes, skin and smell, and favour a local fishmonger or fisherman who can tell you exactly where it came from.