‘Nothing has changed since Brexit – we’ve been sold down the river,’ say Britain’s exasperated fishermen
For Martin Gilbert, fishing has been his lifeblood since the day he was born. The now 62-year-old first started working in the Cornish sea when he was seven and has spent the last fifty years braving all weather conditions to catch crabs and shellfish.
Yet he is among a growing number of disillusioned fishermen who feel they have been “sold down the river” by successive governments after securing their vote for Brexit.
Sir Keir Starmer praised the reset deal struck with the EU in May as a “win-win” for both sides; This will allow British travelers to use passport e-gates and farmers will have easier access to trade on the continent.
In response, European fishing trawlers were granted access to British waters for a further 12 years, in a move described as a “horror show” by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation.
“This is very disappointing,” Mr. Gilbert said. Independent. “We were promised to get our own little island and as far as I know it’s still a nightmare for traders to sell abroad because of the paperwork, inspections and stamp approvals. “It’s too much hassle and currently only 50 per cent of the fish we produce goes abroad.
“Meanwhile French and Belgian trawlers are fishing in the 6 to 12 mile limit, causing huge damage to our fishing fleet. They don’t care about anyone but themselves, I’ve lost tens of thousands of pounds worth of equipment over the last 30 years.”
After installing the crab pots, which cost around £100 a piece, Mr Gilbert and other fishermen on England’s south coast will contact the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation, which uses WhatsApp and live marine traffic maps to contact EU ships to let them know where the pots are anchored.
Five years ago he was left devastated when a French ship destroyed £15,000 worth of equipment in one night, claiming they had ignored his readings of the location of 200 crab pots.
This is a common problem faced by British fishermen who struggle to compete with larger EU fishing vessels, which can be up to 100 meters in length compared to the 10 meter boats that sail from Cornwall.
“We will lose 10 to 15 crab pots a month,” Mr. Gilbert added. One fisherman previously said he spends £60,000 to £70,000 each year on new tackle and lines due to constant damage to his equipment.
Fishing formed an integral part of the 2016 Leave campaign, with politicians such as Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson promising to regain control of Britain’s waters.
While nine in 10 fishermen said they planned to vote for Brexit, many were swayed by the promise that European trawlers would be pushed beyond the 12-mile exclusion zone.
Marc Evans, chief executive of charity Fishermen’s Mission, said: “If you go back to the days of Brexit campaigning, there is no doubt that the fishing community has a disproportionately strong voice.
“Buying black water from the UK was similar to the NHS figure of £360 million – the truth is that wasn’t quite true. Nothing has changed – fishermen are still in direct competition with the French, Dutch and Spanish, the waters are being overfished and their quotas are being removed.”
There are other challenges facing the industry, including an influx of shellfish-eating octopuses, a naturally occurring algal bloom affecting the northeast coast, as well as the rising costs of marine fuel and essential safety supplies.
Speaking about the deal in May, Mike Cohen of the National Fishermen’s Federation said: “It was a blow. Not only did we get nothing, but we also lost what little we had from Brexit.”
Recruitment has also become a thorny area for the fishing industry, with the number of young people seeking a life at sea decreasing.
“Issues include an aging workforce, many businesses being run alone, and the costs and risks being too high for people looking to enter the industry,” Mr. Cohen added.
“Recruitment is difficult, given that you have to stay in education until you’re 18 and you don’t have any apprenticeships in fishing. At an age when you can go to sea, you may have spent two years learning another trade.”
As a result, mental health issues have become more pronounced as many fishermen consider leaving the industry and possibly giving up businesses that have been in the family for generations.
“Even for me, this has caused a lot of problems like anxiety,” Mr. Gilbert said. “Half the people I know probably have mental health issues.
“I’m a fisherman through and through, that’s all I’ve ever known. I’ve definitely been pushing more days at sea, going further afield and being exposed to more weather over the last two years to make a living.
“It’s long and tiring hours, most days I work 12 to 14 hours. On Tuesday I worked 12 hours at sea and had to tour the fish market. I started at 3 in the morning, came home at 7.30 in the evening and went out to sea again at 3.45 in the morning.”
Mr Gilbert said he was lucky that both of his sons had followed in his footsteps and were both fishermen, and he also enjoyed his grandchildren spending time at sea.
“My boys are in this for the long haul,” he said. “I know a few people who have given up and said enough is enough, there is too much paperwork, bureaucracy and regulation, and I am leaning in that direction too.
“I enjoy the job tremendously, it’s just hard work.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said: “We value the hard work and dedication of everyone working in our vital fishing industry.
“We have announced a £360 million fisheries and coastal growth fund to support the next generation of fishers and will work with the industry to target the most significant investment.
“This government is working with the fishing industry to promote British seafood and ensure we fish sustainably so the industry can thrive for generations to come.”
If you are experiencing distressed emotions or having difficulty coping, you can talk or email the Samaritans confidentially on 116 123 (UK and ROI). jo@samaritans.orgor visit Samaritans Website to find details of your nearest branch.
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