The People’s Fish Project: Exploring the rich fishing history of Hull
North Atlantic Fishing Company, alongside Hull Maritime Community, Hull City Council, Hull Culture & Leisure, and The Lottery Heritage Fund have provided support to The People’s Fish Project – a photography exhibition recognising and celebrating the long and illustrious heritage of Hull fisher folk. Photographers Nigel Walker, Carmina Ripolles, Julie Shakesby, Rob Bentley and, David Drasdo – collectively known as The People – wanted to showcase Hull’s rich fishing history, and the people involved in it.
Hull’s fishing industry began in the 12th century. Its strategic location on the east coast of England made it a favourable port for fishing vessels. Fishermen were drawn to the area because of its proximity to productive fishing locations in the North Sea.
The industry grew in the 18th and 19th centuries due to the advancement of fishing techniques and larger, more advanced fishing vessels. Hull emerged as a significant fishing port, and the industry was crucial to the local economy.
After the First World war, Hessle Road became one of the main roads in the city thanks to the booming industry and lucrative career opportunities, and for generations, Hull’s fishing families lived, shopped, and socialised here, powering the local economy. There was a strong sense of community during this time, and the street was bustling. The 1960s and 70s however, saw a lot of people move from Hessle Road and many of the houses were levelled to make way for redevelopment.
By 1976, Iceland defeated Britain following a series of disputes over the extension of fishing limits, known as the Cod Wars. As a result, Hull’s distant-water trawling fleet was forced to leave its traditional hunting grounds. Combined with rising oil prices and changes in global fishing policy, the impact of earlier overfishing and the UK’s entry into the Common Market, this move brought crisis, contraction, and the decline of the city’s fishing industry.
In 1970, Hull landed 197,000 tonnes of fish, but by 1981 that figure had fallen to only 15,000 tonnes, according to the Sea Fisheries Statistical Table. The legacy of those industries still lives on in the memorial plaques to fishermen lost at sea and in various murals celebrating seafaring.
In local memory, it is recalled as a time of unemployment, loss, and rapid change. But there are also stories of resilience – fishing for mackerel off the Cornish coast, working in the developing North Sea gas and oil sector and, voyages worldwide to fish for other nations or to survey the beds of more distant seas.
Nearly 50 years on from the Cod Wars, distant-water trawling remains with us as part of the history and heritage of the city.
North Atlantic Fishing Company has long-standing ties with Hull. It is the home port of our vessels; we employ most of our fishermen from the area, and we are increasing our landings of fish into the region to continue our support of the local economy. Sponsoring this project is another way to demonstrate our commitment to the local people that were the backbone of the British fishing industry for such a long period of history.
The exhibition is being held at the Hull Independent Photography Gallery until the end of August 2023 and has received an excellent reception so far, including from those featured in the photographs and their families.
Visit: The HIP Gallery, The Prospect Centre, 64 Prospect Street, Kingston upon Hull, United Kingdom
Opening times: 8 July – 30 September, Weds-Saturday 10am-4pm
