Welcome to Cornwall!
- David Pascoe
- Ring nets
- Partner since 2016
- Newlyn, UK
The adventure begins when evening falls in Newlyn, a small harbor town on the coast of Cornwall. Here, about 50 boats are ready to catch the tastiest Pilchard sardines. On one of those boats David and his crew prepare to sail into Mount's Bay; the setting sun signalling them to start their search for the pride of the region!
Using special lights, fishermen lure the sardines to the surface. As soon as a school is visible, they quickly deploy the ring net. The net surrounds the sardines like a basket before being closed from below.
Ring net fishery is a sustainable method for several reasons: the net remains close to the surface of the water, with minimal impact on the ecosystem. Also, since the sardines swim in compact schools, bycatch is minimised, ensuring fishermen only catch sardines.
David Pascoe's family has been fishing for authentic Pilchard sardines; a small, beautiful fish with a high fat content, for generations - just like many other fishermen in Cornwall. "I grew up in the harbor, right in the middle of the fishing community. My father fished, my uncle fished. I enjoyed playing around the harbor and learning the trade. And the rest is history!" During the season, David eats sardines almost every day, either straight from the can or fresh, and grilled on the barbecue.
Our sardines are true all-rounders! You can eat them straight from the can – ideal for a quick, delicious snack. Whether you choose sardines in olive oil, with chili, lemon or spicy tomato sauce, they are all delicious on a cracker or just as they are.
Want to add them into a dish? Of course you can! Canned sardines are perfect for salads, pasta, sandwiches or even stews. For more inspiration, you can take a look at our recipes on the recipe page.
Sardines are small powerhouses from the sea! As a fatty fish, they are packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA, which your body cannot produce on its own. These essential fatty acids support your brain function and keep your cardiovascular system in top condition.
But there's more: sardines also contain more calcium, iron, and vitamin B12 than many other fish species. Perfect for pescetarians or anyone looking for a healthy boost. And did you know that the olive oil our sardines are preserved in is rich in unsaturated fats and vitamin E? Together, they make our sardines not only a tasty but also a super healthy addition to any meal!
After opening, the sardines can be stored for up to 2 days in the fridge in a non-metallic container.
Sardines are usually eaten bones and all - and that's perfectly fine! They are carefully cleaned and filleted, and the canning process makes the skin and bones wonderfully soft over time. So you can eat them safely, and probably without even noticing. These bones actually make sardines more healthy, as they are packed with vitamins and minerals like calcium.
No worries, none of the Fish Tales products use BPA in their cans. BPA (Bisphenol A) is a chemical often used as a plastic layer in packaging, for example in metal cans. This layer is necessary to prevent food from reacting with the metal which can be toxic.
However, research shows that BPA can disrupt the hormone balance. That's why we consciously chose cans without BPA in the coating. Furthermore, our cans are regularly tested to ensure they fully comply with strict European legislation.
If you are pregnant, it is safer to avoid sardines. A small amount once, for example on toast, will not immediately be harmful. As a precaution, it is better not to consume them. This is due to the small amounts of harmful substances that can be present in sardines.
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