Gripes in Grimsby over Brexit fishing failure

Gripes in Grimsby over Brexit fishing failure

In the mid-20th century, Grimsby was one of the world's leading fishing ports, until the fleets of trawlers began to disappear in the 1970s
In the mid-20th century, Grimsby was one of the world's leading fishing ports, until the fleets of trawlers began to disappear in the 1970s. Photo: Oli SCARFF / AFP/File
Source: AFP

PAY ATTENTION: Empowering lives, one story at a time. Briefly News launched a YouTube channel Briefly TV. Subscribe now!

Grimsby, perched on the southern side of the River Humber, near Kingston-upon-Hull in northern England, was built on the fishing industry.

Some 70 percent of people in the town voted for Brexit, hoping that the UK's departure from the European Union would boost its flagging fortunes.

But seven years on from the landmark referendum, those who banked on a turnaround are disappointed, while those who feared it are not taking it lying down.

At 7:00 am, the auction at Grimsby's wholesale fish market in the heart of the town's vast docks is in full swing.

"We have mackerel. 1.5 (pounds) a kilo? 1.7? 1.8? 1.9?" shouts the auctioneer.

For an island nation, fishing is surprisingly small fry, accounting for just 0.03 percent of the British economy. But it still stirs passions.

Read also

Europe's largest casino opens in Cyprus

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!

Then-prime minister Boris Johnson visited the wholesale fish market on the 2019 general election campaign trail, in which he vowed repeatedly to "Get Brexit Done" as divorce negotiations continued three years after the referendum.

Then-prime minister Boris Johnson had visited Grimsby's fish market in 2019, promising Brexit would bring a 'massive boost' to the local fishing industry
Then-prime minister Boris Johnson had visited Grimsby's fish market in 2019, promising Brexit would bring a 'massive boost' to the local fishing industry. Photo: Oli SCARFF / AFP
Source: AFP

Johnson had also said that leaving the EU would bring a "massive boost" to the local fishing industry.

Indeed many of the current traders gathered under the market's strip lighting voted "Leave", hoping it would end European quotas and competition.

But Patrick Salmon, owner of a craft smokehouse, said that hasn't happened.

"The French and the Spanish come to the UK, fish our fish, and then they take it home, process it and sell it back to us," he told AFP.

"That's bonkers. We should have control of our own waters and you lot (Europeans) should be thrown out. However, that will possibly never happen."

Read also

'Meta loses more': Zuckerberg takes Threads fight to EU

Salmon's small business is not unduly affected by Brexit for now, as he gets his fish from Scotland and Iceland.

One day he said he would like to export to France, Belgium and other EU countries, even if it means much more paperwork than before.

Vanishing fleet

Fish market manager Martyn Boyers is another "Leave" voter. He said the UK was so far not doing a very good job of being self-sufficient.

In the mid-20th century, Grimsby was one of the world's leading fishing ports, until the fleets of trawlers began to disappear in the 1970s.

The UK's main fishing port is now in Peterhead, in northeast Scotland, leaving Grimsby with only a handful of specialist boats, a network of traders and processing plants
The UK's main fishing port is now in Peterhead, in northeast Scotland, leaving Grimsby with only a handful of specialist boats, a network of traders and processing plants. Photo: Oli SCARFF / AFP
Source: AFP

Fishermen blamed the "cod war" over fishing grounds with Iceland, then EU quotas that carved up the seas around Europe, reducing British boats' catch.

At the same time, a generation of sailors died out, their children unwilling to follow their fathers into the profession.

Global warming, which forced fish to migrate north, and overfishing have also contributed to the decline.

Read also

Drought scuppers salmon fishing season in California

Now, the UK's main fishing port is Peterhead, in northeast Scotland, leaving Grimsby with only a handful of specialist boats, a network of traders and processing plants.

Five thousand people are employed in the sector in a town with high unemployment.

Boyers said Brexit has not had a huge effect on the fish market but some fish processing contracts have been lost.

Iceland has bypassed the UK, and now sends direct to the European mainland, he said.

Bitter

Brexit, which promised Britain's fishing industry freedom, has left a bitter taste in the mouth of traders like Nathan Goldley, who voted "Remain".

Grimsby was built on the fishing industry but has seen better days
Grimsby was built on the fishing industry but has seen better days. Photo: Oli SCARFF / AFP
Source: AFP

"Brexit has made it harder to import fish from Europe," said Goldley, who runs Premier Seafood.

"I was used to buying and selling by a click of a button... I don't want to be limited to buying and selling British products."

Goldley said reams of forms and delayed deliveries of highly perishable goods have dented his profits, forcing him to give up supplying shrimp to France.

Read also

Critical negotiations on deep sea mining kick off in Jamaica

Like many provincial towns, Grimsby's town centre has seen better days.

Even for 20-year-old waitress Emily Jennins, Brexit has had an impact.

Humber Gateway Wind Farm near Grimsby
Humber Gateway Wind Farm near Grimsby. Photo: OLI SCARFF / AFP/File
Source: AFP

"People my age didn't get to vote. They said it would be good for small businesses but so many have closed," she added.

Regret from those who voted for Brexit, those who didn't, and those who couldn't vote at all appears to be growing.

Polls indicate that more and more Britons believe Brexit has been a failure.

Grimsby Conservative party councillor Philip Jackson is looking on the bright side, however, pointing to government regeneration projects to replace money that used to come from the EU.

"There's been a big push towards decarbonisation and offshore wind... which is bringing new types of jobs and employment into the area that is not related to Brexit," he said.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.