Selling the joy and health benefits of fabulous fish is Lisa’s passion

Jenny Bristow

TV CHEF JENNY BRISTOW REVIEWS MOURNE FISHBOX

As a champion of local produce it is truly a delight when I discover a new business supplying high quality produce to the local market and that’s exactly what Harold and Lisa, and the team at www.mournefishbox.com, are doing by bringing the finest Kilkeel Harbour landed fresh fish, delivered straight to our doors and our kitchens!

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Fresh from the shore: Harold Nicholson and his daughter Lisa McBride with the new Mourne Seafoods fishbox range in Kilkeel

Restaurant review: We take a bite out of Mourne Fishbox

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10 great reasons to add more seafood into your diet

Here are 10 great reasons to add more seafood into your diet

Research has shown that eating fish and shellfish regularly is beneficial to our bodies in many ways; here are ten great reasons to introduce a little more seafood into your diet.

1. Great for your heart
It’s no coincidence that fish-eating Inuit populations in the Arctic have low levels of heart disease; seafood is low in saturated fat and high in omega-3, (which can both) protect the heart from disease and lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood. One study has even suggested that an extra portion of fish every week can cut risk of heart disease in half.

2. Clearing the vessels
Eating fish can improve your circulation and reduce the risk of thrombosis. The EPA and DHA – omega-3 oils – in seafood can save your body from having to produce eicosanoids, a hormone-like substance which can make you more likely to suffer from blood clots and inflammation.

3. Joint benefits
Eating fish as a regular part of a balanced diet has been shown to ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, a condition which causes the joins to swell up. Recent research has also found a link between omega-3 fats and osteoarthritis, suggesting that eating more seafood could help to prevent the disease.

4. The eyes have it

Eating oil-rich fish regularly can help to keep the eyes bright and healthy. A recent study has suggested that omega-3 fatty acids can help to protect the eyesight of those suffering from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition which causes the retina to degenerate and the eyesight to become blurred. Fish and shellfish also contain retinol, a form of vitamin A which boosts night vision.

5. Essential nutrients
Seafood provides the body with many essential nutrients which keep us running smoothly, including iodine, selenium, zinc and potassium. Iodine is important for the thyroid gland, and selenium makes enzymes which can help to protect us from cancer. Fish and shellfish are also excellent sources of many vitamins, including vitamins A and D.

6. Take a deep breath
A number of studies have indicated that fish and shellfish may help to protect our lungs. Not only can seafood relieve the symptoms of asthma in children, but it has shown signs of preventing it. Eating a lot of fish can also keep your lungs stronger and healthier as you age in comparison to those who don’t eat a lot of fish.

7. Brighten your outlook
Seafood may also play a large part in preventing depression; research has highlighted links between low omega-3 levels and a higher risk of depression. Seafood could also help us to avoid Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and post-natal depression.

8. Your skin looks great
Not only does omega-3 help to protect the skin from the harmful effects of the UV damage, but eating lots of fish can also help with the symptoms of skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Fish is also a great source of protein, which is an essential ingredient of collagen, a substance which keeps the skin firm and flexible.

9. Good for down below
Evidence suggests that a diet rich in fish oils can help to protect us against serious inflammatory bowel diseases (BD) including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. There is also evidence to suggest that omega-3 could help to slow the progression of inflammatory bowel disease in some sufferers.

10. Boost your brainpower
The human brain is almost 60% fat, with much of this being omega-3 fat. Probably for this reason, research has indicated that people who eat plenty of seafood are less likely to suffer dementia and memory problems in later life. DHA, an omega-3 fat found in seafood, has also been linked to improvements in children’s concentration, reading skills, behaviour, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

(Source: Seafish)

Launch of Mourne Fishbox

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MOURNE FISHBOX

Fish lovers across the UK and Ireland will now be able to enjoy fresh fish from the port of Kilkeel delivered straight to their doors thanks to the launch of a new e-commerce business Mourne Fishbox, supported by Invest Northern Ireland.

The new venture which is aimed at the domestic fish consumer has been developed by Mourne Seafoods, the Kilkeel based supplier of fresh fish and shellfish to the hospitality trade.

Customers to the Mourne Fishbox website www.mournefishbox.com will be able to buy a range of 2kg and 1 kg fresh fish boxes which will be despatched from Kilkeel that day and delivered within 24 hours.  At this launch stage five standard Mourne Fish Boxes are available, ‘The Filleted Fish Box’ comprising cod, salmon, haddock, mackerel and hake; ‘The Dinner Box’ comprising of cod, smoked haddock and fish pie/chowder mix; ‘The Dinner Party Box’ comprising seabass, scallops and oysters, ‘The Smoked Fish Box’ comprising of smoked haddock, smoked salmon and smoked mackerel and ‘The Scallops Box’ comprising of scallops landed locally and hand shucked on the premises.  All Mourne Fishbox fish and shellfish is prepared ready to cook and presented in vacuum sealed packs in an outer insulated and chilled box.

Commenting on the launch of the new business, Mourne Fish Box, Managing  Director Harold Nicholson said –

“Our aim is to provide the quality conscious fish consumer with the freshest fish he or she can buy and through internet technology and our courier network we can do that throughout the UK and Ireland.

Here in Kilkeel we have a tremendous range of fresh fish and shellfish being landed every day.  When a customer orders a Mourne Fishbox on-line they can be assured that their box will comprise of fish that has been caught or processed within the last 24 hours.  The majority of our fish is sourced from the Irish Sea, with the exception of salmon which is sourced from elsewhere in Ireland or Scotland and exotic fish such as seabass, imported from Turkey or Greece”.

Invest Northern Ireland has offered Mourne Seafoods funding towards this project. This includes support with developing its e-commerce site, assistance with the marketing activities for the Fishbox service and support with recruiting a new staff member to drive sales and process orders.

John Hood, Invest NI’s Director of Food, said: “This is an innovative project for Mourne Seafoods, aimed at maximising a business to consumer model to increase its sales particularly in the Republic of Ireland.

“Invest NI has enabled Mourne Seafoods to develop the capability to offer its new service and invest in a focused marketing campaign to raise its profile and online presence.

“Enhancing its workforce with a dedicated individual to manage the order processing and sales generation will also be an important element to help the company establish a competitive platform for its online sales.”