“I asked one fisherman how his family was coping and he had to walk away. It’s difficult for the guys here to even talk about the anguish they are facing.”
Times are tougher than ever for shellfish fishermen along the Northeast coast of England. Over the past 18 months, vast numbers of dead and dying shellfish have washed up on local beaches. While the cause is still under investigation, the impact on local fishermen is clear and devastating.
Rising Struggles in Hartlepool
Peter Dade, Fishermen’s Mission Area Officer for North Shields, explains:
“I visit Hartlepool every other week. With more dead shellfish appearing, fishermen are increasingly despairing. Many are struggling to provide for their families. We’re doing all we can, offering bespoke welfare support and running SeaFit events on Hartlepool Fish Quay to support their wellbeing.”
Economic and Emotional Impact
The normally vibrant prawn fishing industry has been hit hard, with catch yields dropping by up to 90%. Around half of local fishermen have had to put their boats up for sale.
Marc Evans, Chief Executive of the Fishermen’s Mission, recently visited the area:
“I asked one fisherman how his family was coping, and he had to walk away. The anguish they face is immense. Some have even said life doesn’t feel worth living anymore. Mental health is a growing concern here.”
Fishermen Are Resilient, But Need Support
Fishermen are used to facing challenges at sea, but natural resilience isn’t always enough. That’s where the Fishermen’s Mission steps in:
- Listening to their concerns
- Advocating on their behalf
- Providing practical and financial support
How You Can Help
Your support ensures we can continue being there for fishermen and their families during crises like this. Every donation helps us make a life-changing difference.
