Fishermen's charity returns

Tuesday 24 September 2024

A charity which supports current and former fishermen, and their families is back in the island today.

The Fishermen’s Mission offers practical and financial help to active and former fishermen, sea-going staff working the in the aquaculture industry, and migrant fishermen.

Hayley Hamlett is the Mission Area Officer for the South East of England and the Channel Islands.

Through the Fishermen’s Mission, Ms Hamlett is able to arrange financial grants to support fishermen and their families during difficult times. They can also access medical treatment through the charity.

Ms Hamlett also offers emotional support and can signpost fishermen and their families to other organisations which may be able to help them.

She made her first visit to Guernsey earlier this year and is back today, with time set aside for meeting fishermen at the Fish Quay between 10:00 and 15:00.

"I am delighted to be visiting the Channel Islands again," she said.

The latest data available for the Bailiwick shows that 472 people are employed across ‘agriculture, horticulture, fishing, and quarrying’.

Of those, at last count (September 2023) there were 76 fishermen in total – 64 of whom are self-employed and 12 are employed.

The data available through gov.gg shows the 'agriculture, horticulture, fishing, and quarrying' sector has grown slightly in recent years as 472 is the highest number of employees combined across the four industries since 2009. However, those working in agriculture, horticulture, fishing, and quarrying, are paid (on average) below Guernsey’s median earnings.

The island’s median earnings for the year ending 30 September 2023 were £40,918.

Median earnings for people working in agriculture, horticulture, fishing, and quarrying during the same year was £34,162 according to States statistics.

If their earnings are linked to their catch size then there are statistics to show some of those are in decline which may affect fishermen's income in particular.

Ms Hamlett knows some fishermen she works with elsewhere have really struggled during the cost of living crisis and she wants to extend the help available to any Bailiwick fishermen who may also be facing trying times.