Worst year in living memory for Cumbrian fishermen
Last updated 10:45, Saturday, 04 October 2008
Cumbrian fishermen have experienced their worst year in living memory as a crippling cocktail of bad weather, soaring fuel prices and low fish prices has conspired against them.
The county’s chief fisheries officer David Dobson said strong winds in particular had kept fishermen ashore for a record amount of time.
“I’ve been involved in fishing for more than 35 years and was a trawler skipper for 20 years and I have never known a year like it,” he said.
“It’s the strong winds that have been the main problem, they mean the smaller boats just can’t get out to sea at all.
“Between the start of June and the end of July, over about a six-week period, they were hardly able to get out to sea at all, and that is usually the best time of year for fishing.
“When they do get out, the massive hike in fuel prices, coupled with the fact that for several species of fish and shellfish the price has gone down considerably, mean it is difficult to make a profit.
“They are being put under awful pressure. I’m not aware of anyone going out of business because of it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened. We are a pretty resilient bunch and we are going to have to be to get through this.
“The Cumbrian fleet is getting smaller and smaller anyway as the older people leave the profession and the young ones no longer take it up and this will just increase that pressure.”
Rising fuel prices now mean it costs hundreds of pounds for a skipper to put to sea and there is no guarantee that he will return with anything in his nets.
It is estimated a 60ft trawler, spending two days at sea, would burn up £850 worth of fuel alone.
And many of the species that provide a living for Cumbrian fishermen: langoustines, skate and plaice, have seen their prices plummeting, despite worldwide food inflation that has seen other foods rocket in price.
