Whatever your existing level of fishmonger knowledge and skills, you will be able to benefit from some of the resources showcased in this guide. Don’t forget to have a look at our fishmonger apprenticeship page.
It is highly recommended that a fishmonger holds a food hygiene qualification, as it will help you in your working life. Currently, for people who work in the UK seafood industry, including fishmongers, our online programme and online invigilated exam are free of charge. Successful candidates are issued with a nationally recognised qualification.
We also offer an online Elementary HACCP programme that we suggest you try after you’ve achieved our Elementary Food Hygiene qualification. This is currently 50% funded for people who work in the UK seafood industry, with the 50% subsidised cost being £50.00.
The Seafood Guide is a comprehensive guide to the fish and shellfish. If you are studying for an apprenticeship you may qualify for a free copy. To find out, please email our Onshore Training team. If you do not, and don’t wish to buy a copy from Seafish then you can always use the Seafood Guide section of this website where we have used much of the published Guide’s contents.
We have lots of videos on our YouTube channel including 47 videos on fish and shellfish preparation. These will support the development of a fishmonger along with their practical in-house training. Further onshore training videos can can viewed from the link below.
Our support for fish filleting training includes our Fish Filleting Training Programme for Trainees (see link below). This training programme has been developed to demonstrate basic fish filleting techniques and to develop the trainee’s skills and understanding of fillets and bone structures. It includes both round and flat fish filleting and skinning methods. Once the basic skills demonstrated are mastered, the trainee will be able to develop their individual methods and speed, by improving and fine tuning their skills.
A health and safety qualification for fishmongers, is recommended and will help you in your working life. If people who work in the UK seafood industry, including fishmongers, use our online programme and complete the online invigilated exam, it’s currently fully funded. Successful candidates receive a nationally recognised qualification.
Great customer service is essential for any successful fishmonger. Customers make an instant impression about you when they buy from you. Our customer service guide covers some of the things that create an enjoyable shopping experience. Topics include how to create positive first impressions, looking after customers and handling complaints. Each module includes exercises to help you gain confidence or re-enforce key messages to more experienced colleagues. After studying the guide you will find it easier to make a positive lasting impression and turn uncertain customers into loyal customers.
The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers have a recognition scheme called the Master Fishmonger Standard or MFS scheme. The MFS scheme is able to recognise fishmongers at various levels of expertise and experience such as:
- Recognised
- Advanced
- Craft
- Master
- Companion
- Young Fishmonger.