Fraserburgh
May 20, 2021
M 117. Fraserburgh - the first of two impressive fishing harbours.
Short history lesson: for 300 years up to 1850, the Dutch way of fishing, curing and selling herring (The Grand Shoal) was the envy of its North Sea neighbours. Not until the beginning of the 19C did Britain begin to match the technology and organisation of the Dutch. Government support, quality standards and navigation aids such as the barometer boosted this growth. Fraserburgh's own growth as a harbour matched the development of the country's herring fleet. The first two harbour walls were built in 1807 and 1820, larger boats were used and fishermen from neighbouring harbours (see my last post), started landing their catches here. Exports of salted herring to Europe further strengthened Fraserburgh's position and by the end of the 19C the place was booming.
The current HM, Tom Boyle, has also seen a few changes and Good Dog's crew were gripped listening to his exploits as a fishing skipper (since 1978) and more recently as HM. How large fishing boats can now cost up to £30 million but have the power (we are talking 8,000 HP) to catch over 800 tonnes (£1 million) of fish in one trip.... but at the same time as with all the fishing industry, the stocks are continually monitored to ensure stocks are always sustainable. That the catch has been analysed in an on-board lab and sold (often to fish meal factories in Poland) long before the boat returns to port. That ships that "work" are called boats - Fishing Boat, Tug Boat, Pilot Boat - whereas ships that carry stuff are called ships!
How the industry gives opportunities for many foreign nationals to earn a living on British boats...(from Cape Verde, Ghana, Malaysian and Philippines). How larger vessel owners rely on foreign yards but the smaller fishing vessels are still actively supporting all UK builders. And how after all these years, the north east of Scotland are still exporting herring to European countries including Holland. How the tables have turned in 400 years!
Thank you Tom for a very informative, visit to your harbour.
Short history lesson: for 300 years up to 1850, the Dutch way of fishing, curing and selling herring (The Grand Shoal) was the envy of its North Sea neighbours. Not until the beginning of the 19C did Britain begin to match the technology and organisation of the Dutch. Government support, quality standards and navigation aids such as the barometer boosted this growth. Fraserburgh's own growth as a harbour matched the development of the country's herring fleet. The first two harbour walls were built in 1807 and 1820, larger boats were used and fishermen from neighbouring harbours (see my last post), started landing their catches here. Exports of salted herring to Europe further strengthened Fraserburgh's position and by the end of the 19C the place was booming.
The current HM, Tom Boyle, has also seen a few changes and Good Dog's crew were gripped listening to his exploits as a fishing skipper (since 1978) and more recently as HM. How large fishing boats can now cost up to £30 million but have the power (we are talking 8,000 HP) to catch over 800 tonnes (£1 million) of fish in one trip.... but at the same time as with all the fishing industry, the stocks are continually monitored to ensure stocks are always sustainable. That the catch has been analysed in an on-board lab and sold (often to fish meal factories in Poland) long before the boat returns to port. That ships that "work" are called boats - Fishing Boat, Tug Boat, Pilot Boat - whereas ships that carry stuff are called ships!
How the industry gives opportunities for many foreign nationals to earn a living on British boats...(from Cape Verde, Ghana, Malaysian and Philippines). How larger vessel owners rely on foreign yards but the smaller fishing vessels are still actively supporting all UK builders. And how after all these years, the north east of Scotland are still exporting herring to European countries including Holland. How the tables have turned in 400 years!
Thank you Tom for a very informative, visit to your harbour.