Guernsey's professional fishing crews in decline

Tuesday 23 April 2024

The number of professional fishermen working in Guernsey has more than halved in less than a decade.

Statistics collated by the States through various means shows that in 2015 there were 113 fishermen - either employed (7) or self employed (106). That had dropped to 58 by last year.

The most recent data shows that there are 11 employed and 47 self employed fishermen in Guernsey.

The decline had started between 2017 and 2018 when the number of fishermen dropped by 34 - from 111 to 77. We don't know the reasons why any fishermen have left the industry as the numbers provided purely give an overview of employment within the sector.

Pictured: Data provided by the States shows the decline in the number of fishermen working in Guernsey. This data relates to people not roles. 

The covid pandemic had a limited influence on the decline in the number of professional fishermen too, with 2020 seeing a net loss of two employed and three self employed fishermen. 

The number stabilised during the second year of the pandemic with two fishermen returning or entering the profession (one each employed and self employed). 

The number of professional fishermen has reduced further during the two years since the official end of the pandemic.

Pictured: Fishermen were given exemptions before many other workers so they could continue landing their catches elsewhere during the pandemic. 

During the summer of 2020, there were at least 25 commercial fishing boats operating in Guernsey waters as they were each given permission to "fully resume their work, including landing their catches in the UK, France, and Jersey" with conditions attached stating that they couldn't "go ashore or have any contact with other people".

By following these specific rules, the fishermen did not have to self-isolate when they came back to Guernsey, as was the rule for the majority of other people at the time. 

Guernsey Ports said this allowance was "to support the fishing industry, so crews can safely land catches and continue working as the islands continue to move out of lockdown".

Pictured: Fishing was allowed to continue during the covid lockdowns, but the decline in the number of employed and self employed fishermen had already started well before the pandemic.

There have always been challenges to the local fishing industry though, aside from those experienced by everyone during the pandemic.

Recent challenges have included battles over territorial fishing limits, landing catches in France since Brexit, and the difference between licence and unlicensed fishermen selling their catches. 

In January 2021, Barry Paint warned fishermen faced going bust - calling it a very "worrying situation".

The well-respected mariner, who has since died, was the President of the Guernsey Fisherman's Association.

Pictured: The late Barry Paint was a great supporter of local marine industries. 

Just over three years ago, Guernsey fishermen found themselves unable to land their catch at Dielette on the French coast  leading to crisis talks between the island and Normandy.

The situation was resolved but not before damaging the confidence of the crews working on around 10 fishing boats, who Mr Paint said relied on the port to land their catch. 

Since then, additional legal protections have been brought in to protect local professional crews who were said to be facing competition from unlicensed "recreational" fisherman.

Last year, the law was changed to stop 'doorstep' selling of fish and shellfish after concerns were raised over hobby fishermen selling their catches for commercial gain at the expense of the commercial crews. 

At the time, Sea Fisheries said the new rules were being enforced to ensure all commercial fishermen could compete on an even basis, while recreational fishermen going out for pleasure did not cause any problems for those working in the industry. 

Pictured: Boats moored off Guernsey's Fish Quay in St Peter Port.

This week, specific help aimed at fishermen, former fishermen, and their families, is being promoted as part of efforts by a national charity to support those involved in the industry. 

Hayley Hamlett from the charity The Fishermen's Mission will be in Guernsey for a few days towards the end of the week, and she wants to meet people in the fishing community to arrange access to their services for anyone who needs it.

The Fishermen’s Mission supports active and former fishermen, sea-going staff working the in the aquaculture industry, and migrant fishermen.