Fish Index — UK, Ireland & Nordic Fish & Seafood Industry Directory
Kent plays a vital role in the UK's sole industry, particularly for Dover Sole, highly prized for its delicate flavour. The county's coastal waters, especially around areas like Dungeness and Rye Bay, are significant fishing grounds. Businesses such as those operating from Folkestone and Hastings (just outside Kent but integrally linked) contribute to the supply chain, making Kent a key hub for this premium fish.
Kent benefits from established processing capacity, with smaller-scale processors and fishmongers throughout the county handling fresh sole. Major ports like Folkestone and Ramsgate, though less prominent for large-scale landings today, still see sole brought ashore, feeding local markets and restaurants. The trade supports local employment in fishing, processing, and retail, with sole remaining a high-value species for Kent's seafood economy, often destined for London's Billingsgate Market and European exports.
Central Folkestone, Cheriton