Out and about in Shetland
30th January 2017
The following selection of recent photographs encompasses the high degree of diversity that is one of the main characteristics of fishing in Shetland.
Features
The Wash fishery – shrinking pains?
22nd January 2017
*Gallery of images on page 3 Nearly six years on from the establishment of the 10 Inshore Fishing and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs), the regulatory regime for inshore fisheries around England is tightening to a metaphorical soundtrack of muffled anguish and…
Squid diaries – part 5
19th January 2017
Phil Lockley cautions: “This will cost you!” Above: Have those jigs ‘caught’ me, or is that the range of gear I need? Through two years of lost fishing time (from arthritis), a recent replacement knee means that I am now ‘titanium-rich’…
The continuing evolution of Moray Firth seine-netters in the 1960s
8th January 2017
Gallery of images at end of feature. John Addison gives an overview of seine net boats built for skippers fishing from Moray Firth ports in the 1960s. In this decade, a gradual move towards new designs prevailed, as boatyards and…
Ports in the Past: Ullapool of yesteryear
5th January 2017
For more than 20 years, the Scottish west coast port of Ullapool was one of the busiest landing centres in the UK on a seasonal basis. Ullapool’s rise to prominence coincided with the growth of mackerel fishing, when a large…
Squid diaries – part 4
30th December 2016
Phil Lockley asks: “What have top-up cards got to do with squidding?” Regarding the layout and style of my squid gear, each year I have a new idea. Some go right and some are a complete flop. And the same…
Isle of Man king scallop fishery in focus – P2
21st December 2016
A second selection of photographs taken by Darren Purves, depicting action from the Isle of Man king scallop fishery last month. Since the start of the season on 1 November, local and visiting skippers and crews have regularly had to…
Squid diaries – part 3
21st December 2016
Phil Lockley recalls mistakes-a-plenty. I hope that hints given here may shorten your learning curve; either on technique or from using the wrong gear. On many days I have lost money by making unnecessary mistakes. Buying ‘cheap’ gear is the…
The Isle of Man king scallop fishery in focus – P1
12th December 2016
Within a few hours of the seasonal Isle of Man king scallop season opening at the beginning of last month, almost inevitably weather conditions in the middle of the Irish Sea deteriorated to provide challenging conditions for crews. The traditional…
Encouraging outlook for Irish Sea Nephrops fishery
5th December 2016
The Irish Sea prawn fishery is showing encouraging present and future signs. Above: The Kilkeel inshore prawn trawlers Jack the Lad and Children’s Hope in Eyemouth last month. Following above-average fishing on the traditional prawn grounds on the western side of…
