Grimsby Fish Market plays a vital role in serving up Britain's beloved dish, with thousands of jobs tied to the seafood industry in Grimsby. To mark National Fish and Chip Day, the key role Grimsby Fish Market plays at the heart of serving up one of Britain's most beloved dishes is being highlighted. Haddock and cod are the primary species traded through the town's celebrated wholesale operation, with numerous merchants purchasing through the traditional shout auction supplying chippies, restaurants and retailers – who in turn ensure customers can enjoy the enduring British classic. The sheer volume of people involved in bringing that piece of fish to the plate never fails to astound the market's long-standing auctioneer, Nelson Hunter. 'Fish is one of the last wild-caught species in the world, and it is easy to lose track of this when you pick up a crisp white fillet in its perfect packaging as part of your weekly shop,' Nelson said. 'From those working the trawler in often adverse conditions, to those landing the fish in port, transporting it, selling it, buying it, filleting it and finally moving it on to the person who will dunk it in the fryer, there are so many livelihoods involved. It is a supply chain I'm proud to be part of, as are my colleagues at Grimsby Fish Market.' Almost 5,000 jobs are directly tied to the seafood industry in Grimsby, and while the majority of dishes served up this evening will be Icelandic-caught, much passes through Grimsby, with the town's rich catching heritage giving rise to a significant cluster of fish processing and cold storage facilities, serving as a vital gateway to the UK consumer. There are also the specialist smokehouses and independent retailers, along with the mobile fish van traders who serve their regular routes on a weekly basis – with a significant proportion of their stock sourced directly from Grimsby Fish Market. For Nelson and his team, any initiative aimed at boosting consumption is warmly welcomed, with Friday remaining a peak trading day that shapes both purchasing and processing decisions. He estimates he has auctioned in excess of three million boxes of fish during the 30 years since the 'new' market first opened its doors. 'It is certainly a dish worth celebrating, and I hope it is enjoyed across the country this evening,' he added. It is estimated that 440 million people saw, read or heard about National Fish & Chip Day in 2025, as it marked a decade of promotional delivery by the National Edible Oil Distributors' Association. Thousands of fish and chip shops took part, using the occasion to engage with customers, celebrate their staff and, above all, champion fish and chips at both a local and national level. Simon Dwyer, incoming chair of market operator Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises Ltd, who also heads up Grimsby Fish Merchants' Association, said: 'We're feeding the nation. 'We have 35 to 40 merchants, every morning, going on the market, relying on supplies from Iceland to buy, process and then distribute, either direct or through the fish vans. We are at the heart of it, providing the cod and haddock the fish and chip shops want.'