find out those fishy secrets...

With over 100 miles of coastline, fishing has long been a way of life in Cumbria. Haaf-netting, a method of fishing whereby the fisherman stands holding a wooden framed net in a deep river channel, is one of the oldest fishing traditions in Britain and still takes place on both sides of the Solway estuary. Fishing for Cockles also has a long tradition, as does shrimping, with Morecombe Bay shrimps being one of the region's well-known specialities.

Species of fish such as bass, cod, haddock, hake, herring, ling, megrim, plaice, pollack, saithe, sole, skate and whiting can all be caught off the Cumbrian coast and Cumbria is home to a fleet of around 90 commercial fishing boats who mostly land their catch at places such as Whitehaven, Maryport, Silloth and Barrow-In-Furness.

It's an interesting fact that about 75% of the fish we eat in the UK comes from just 10 species, including cod, haddock, salmon, plaice, tuna and prawns, some of which are being fished close to extinction.

Over the summer Cumbria Wildlife Trust along with local chef Nick Martin have been spreading the word about taking pleasure in cooking and eating fish and seafood sourced in a sustainable way. As part of this "Wild Ocean" campaign, Nick Martin recently created a fantastic buffet of sustainable fish, cooked imaginatively and served up to some of the trusts members.

The buffet included red snapper, pollack in a light beer batter served with perfect chips, gurnard served with roast vegetables and a great recipe for rope grown mussels - including a coconut, coriander, lime, garlic and lemon grass sauce. There was also beautifully moist Cajun-spiced red mullet and herb crusted coley served with pesto. All in all, a fish lovers' feast.

The Cumbria Wildlife Trust is also working in partnership with cookery schools and chefs across the county so you too can learn these fishy secrets and in turn help protect our marine life. Supporters of the campaign include Annette Gibbons who runs Cumbria on a Plate, Pat Russell from the Lake District School of Food & Wine as well as Lucy Cooks where Nick Martin also teaches. To find out more about the trusts "Wild Ocean" campaign vist, Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

Content and photography supplied by www.artisan-food.com, funded by Distinctly Cumbrian.