The Nyetimber Dorset Seafood Festival is set to return on the 11th and 12th September at Weymouth Peninsula with an educational and immersive programme. The festival will host live music, street food, an array of chefs, charities and activities – all focused on the sea and its produce. Compering the main stage is Steven Lamb, part of the River Cottage team. Also from River Cottage, John Wright will be demoing and talking about what he forages from the sea. Mike Naidoo brings Michelin experience to a new Weymouth seafood restuarant; Catch and Susy Atkins (Sunday Telegraph, ‘delicious’ magazine) will be talking about Nyetimber English Sparkling Wine.
The Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE), a charity focused on restoring the ocean to health, will launch a brand-new feature for 2021 – ‘BLUE Seas’ – which feature a series of speakers, videos, and Q&A sessions in the BLUE Seas marquee. For over a decade, BLUE has brought together fishermen, conservationists, scientists and regulators to protect the nationally important reefs and marine life whilst supporting sustainable low-impact fisheries to continue within the marine protected area. The Lyme Bay Reserve area, which was originally designated by the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities, has seen a revival of marine habitats, rare species such as pink sea fans and some commercially important stocks such as lobster, through this type of collaborative management.
Sam Fanshawe, UK Marine Projects Manager Blue Marine Foundation said: “BLUE has been a long-standing partner of the Dorset Seafood Festival and is delighted to play a key part in this year’s event. The BLUE Seas sessions will showcase many of the successes and partners from the Lyme Bay Reserve project including the University of Plymouth, Dorset Coast Forum, Seafish and the fishermen who have played a vital part in making Lyme Bay a flagship model for the long-term sustainable future of our seas”.
Alongside BLUE Seas, sits another new feature, ‘School of Fish’ pop-up cookery workshops for children brought to the festival by The Food Teachers Centre and supported by the Fishmongers’ Company and their Fisheries Charitable Trust. The ‘School of Fish’ is available to pre-book.
Entry to the festival will be by ticket only. Tickets are limited and cost £10 for adults; children are free of charge. Book at www.dorsetseafood.co.uk/book/.