SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS NETWORK

Whilst our original reasons for establishing a Swanage based Fish Festival back in 2015, of showcasing the beautiful town of Swanage and the exceptional small businesses found in the area, supporting and fundraising 3 chosen charities essential to the fishing community and, let’s be honest, as an excuse to have fun(!), still ring true. We have also evolved as a festival to include a wider selection of food producers, to move towards a smaller more intimate vibe and to consider our effects on the environment around us.

As part of this evolution, we recently joined the Sustainable Business Network and have been working towards our first award via the guidance and assistance of Litter Free Dorset. And we are extremely pleased and proud to announce that today, we have been awarded a Level One Sustainable Business Award, focusing on reducing single use plastics at the festival.

We have implemented a Plastics Policy which we ask all traders to work to as part of their stall holders contract in the hope that they follow the same approach to trading at all the festivals they attend.

We are excited to be taking further steps along our sustainability journey, and will share our successes with you as we learn more about how we can further improve the whole process of co-ordinating the set up and running of a successful food festival while being mindful of the effects of our actions.

2026 Updates

Caring for Our Coast

Our festival is inspired by the coastline that surrounds us, and we are committed to protecting it.

We recognise that events like ours have a responsibility to minimise environmental impact while promoting sustainable practices. By working in partnership with Sustainable Business Network and Litter Free Dorset, we are continually improving how we plan and deliver a more environmentally responsible festival.

Our approach focuses on reducing waste, limiting single-use plastics, and encouraging reuse and recycling across the site. We work closely with our traders to promote locally sourced produce, reduce food miles, and adopt compostable or recyclable packaging wherever possible, and we have specifically requested that all fish sold, cooked or has been part of a demonstration has the MSC certification.

Visitors will find clearly marked recycling and waste stations, along with guidance to support responsible disposal. We aim to make sustainable choices straightforward and accessible for everyone attending the festival.

Beyond the event itself, we see this as an opportunity to raise awareness and support long-term environmental stewardship. By working together with our partners, traders and visitors, we aim to protect our coastline and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future.