Harvesting the fruit of the sea has been a way of life since the first hunter–gatherers left their footprints in the muds of time – and it’s close to the heart of the RNLI too

The earliest of fishermen were restricted to catching what they could from the shoreline, using spears, lines or their own bare hands. Once they learned to construct sea-going vessels and strong nets, they could venture further out and their catches became more varied and plentiful. The use of ice and eventually refrigeration to preserve a catch extended their range even further. Quickly, fish became a commodity and fishing and fish processing became a huge industry.

Important centres for fishing developed, based on the location of the species exploited, safe harbours, good transport links, and high demand. Among the larger were Grimsby, Peterhead, Killybegs, Tenby, Peel, St Helier and St Peter Port. By the 1920s, Grimsby was reputed to be the biggest fishing centre in the world.

Fish was sold on the dock directly, or to agents who arranged transportation to the major urban centres where it was auctioned to the highest bidders before going through a series of middlemen to local fishmongers.

Too much of a good thing
Today, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates there are 38M fishermen and fish farmers in the industry worldwide. Around 6,500 vessels operate in the UK alone, with 2,000 more in the RoI. Fishing methods range from the most small-scale and basic to the most sophisticated and large-scale. And it is the supermarkets that are the final outlet for most fish.

Health-conscious consumers are once again turning to fish in place of red meat. But the evidence of many decades is that the populations of certain fish are dwindling and the balance of the oceans is under threat. Studies by the University of British Columbia’s Fisheries Centre in Canada show that we are eating too many fish at the top of the marine food chain such as cod and tuna. This means that the number of forage fish – such as sardines, anchovies and capelins – has more than doubled over the same period. They in turn are causing an imbalance in plankton leaving soupy water starved of oxygen.

At a local level, fishermen find they have to search further and longer to make a sizeable catch – but they are also working under tight restrictions intended to help fish stocks regrow. For example, they are subject to unannounced visits at sea by Fisheries Protection vessels, assessing the mesh size of their nets (these must be large enough to let juvenile fish escape and go on to breed) and checking they haven’t caught more than their legally binding quota. If by chance they do catch more, the excess must be discarded, dead, into the sea.

Added to rising fuel prices, these pressures mean smaller operators are finding it tough to compete with the giant factory ships. Unable to pay for anyone to join them, many fishermen venture out singlehanded – a lonely and risky business.

A future
There is some good news, though. In July this year it was announced that the 28-year-old European Common Fisheries Policy is to be reformed. Among the proposals, which would take effect in 2013, vessels would have quota shares guaranteed for a period of at least 15 years. Also, boats would be able to land all of the fish actually caught, gradually encompassing more species, eventually abolishing the wasteful practice of discard. It has been estimated by the New Economics think-tank that fishermen have had to throw back cod worth around £1B over the last 50 years.

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) operates a scheme to help shoppers make informed choices through its labelling of sustainably sourced fish. In tandem, consumers are being encouraged to try different species of fish, avoiding North Sea cod and haddock in favour of, for example, hake, pouting and pollack, herring, mackerel and sardines, and shellfish. Species including scallop, winkle, clam, oyster, mussel, crab, langoustine and lobster currently make up around 50% of the catch landed by UK vessels – most are exported to the tapas bars and restaurants of mainland Europe.

While in theory the measures seem likely to bring better balance, it is not just a simple matter of fishermen going out tomorrow to catch different fish. They will need different equipment, different types of boat, and might have to operate in different waters – all expense and upheaval for people already feeling the pinch.

Why do they do that?
Fishing is a struggle for survival in more senses than financial: it is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. In the territories covered by the RNLI, fishermen are 50 times more likely to have a fatal accident than the average worker. They are dealing with everything that the sea and weather can bring, using heavy and powerful machinery, and working under pressure, sometimes with little sleep and no assistance – a lethal combination. RNLI figures indicate that on average there are 20 deaths in commercial fishing each year across the UK, RoI, CIs and IoM.

So why do people enter this risky profession? For many it is a family tradition; for some it is the lure of the sea and working in the fresh air against the elements; being their own boss; seeking the financial rewards that can come with a good day’s fishing. They know they must face days stuck in port when the weather is too rough or foggy, mechanical breakdowns, the frustrations of quotas, and the danger.

Richard Fowler is both a fisherman and a volunteer lifeboat crew member at Torbay, Devon: ‘I have been fishing for 28 years and I guess I must still be enjoying it but I don’t really know anything else! I wasn’t following a family tradition but when I was younger I lived on the Isles of Scilly. I would go fishing after school and in the holidays. On leaving the islands I took up professional fishing for a living. I catch scallops in Winter, and in Summer the bottom-feeding fish such as sole, turbot, cuttlefish and brill. I’m not very good at the late nights any more but I can still get up early in the morning!’

Such a close relationship between the RNLI and the industry is now rarer than you might think. Fewer than 10% of lifeboat crew come from a professional maritime occupation, but crews used to be made up almost entirely of fishermen. They were familiar with handling the early boats and many of the vessels they went to assist were fishing boats crewed by family and friends.

Advice and help
The RNLI has been working to make fishermen’s lives safer since its origin. An early example was the desire to find a better design of fishing boat, particularly to replace those made of wickerwork and hide, like the currach in the west of Ireland. Another idea was stated in 1852, in one of the first-ever issues of the Life-boat Journal: ‘We might also aid fishermen by advice, and endeavour to impress on them the advantage they would derive, in Scotland especially, by abandoning the practice of taking spirits out with them in their boats.’

In 1882, the charity decided to offer masters and owners of fishing smacks and small coasters an opportunity to buy aneroid barometers at a third of the retail cost to help with predicting storms. In 1894, the RNLI resolved to supply lifebelts to fishermen employed in small boats, at half the retail cost. This was followed in 1896 with the supply of air cases for fishing cobles to provide added buoyancy.

In the 21st century, a specific team of staff was appointed to work face to face with fishermen and a range of industry-wide organisations. They have extensive knowledge of the industry – all of them have been fishermen themselves. Following extensive research into the needs and habits of frontline fishermen and the range of specialist safety equipment available on the market, they are raising awareness of the effects of cold-water shock, promoting the wearing of lifejackets, and raising the standard of hydrostatic release units for liferafts. RNLI personnel also designed and developed MOB Guardian, a state-of-the-art satellite-monitoring system specifically for fishermen. Now into Autumn, we are approaching busy times for our crews rescuing fishermen, who are more inclined to weather the storms than the average leisureboater. Frankie Horne was a lifeboat crew member at Peel and, for 30 years, a commercial fisherman. He’s now Chairman of the Isle of Man Fish Producers' Association and one of the RNLI’s fishing safety coordinators. He says: ‘I have experienced the pitfalls and long hours associated with fishing and know what can happen when things go wrong. But many fishermen think that accidents happen to other people not them. When you hear about a sinking or tragedy near to home it makes you think more about the risks and the impact on families left behind.’

The quest continues to make the fishing industry both sustainable and safe for years to come.

Who's who in fishing

Defra – the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

DfT – the UK's Department for Transport, includes:
MCA – the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, part of which is HM Coastguard
MAIB – the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.

Coast Guard – Garda Cósta, a Division of the RoI's Department of Transport.

Seafood Scotland – includes the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency and manages all aspects of enforcement.
MSC – the Marine Stewardship Council – its fishery certification programme recognises and rewards sustainable fishing.
Seafish – supports the seafood industry to promote sustainable and responsible fishing.
Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society – a UK and RoI– wide welfare charity.
Fishermen’s Mission – a Christian UK welfare charity.

Fishermen's organisations:
National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations
in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers' Organisation
Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
Federation of Irish Fishermen
Manx Fish Producers Organisation Ltd.