Public support for industry following 'Trawlermen' TV series – Fishupdate.com

THE recent BBC TV series ‘Trawlermen’ has proved a hit with the public and has brought home the crucial importance of one of the most dangerous jobs in Britain, according to the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF).

The Federation has received many messages of support from the public following the screening of the series.

One viewer wrote: “The programme showed everyone the true cost of our fish and chips. Our fishermen are some of the bravest blokes in the world.”

SFF chief executive Bertie Armstrong said: “We’ve had many responses from the public saying how impressed they were with ‘Trawlermen’ and wanting to pass on their thanks to the BBC and the men involved.

“Most of the press response to the series focused on the use of subtitles in case some viewers couldn’t understand the Doric used. But this is a side issue, which actually demonstrated the breadth of the audience captured.

“In recent times the industry has been used to bad publicity based on wrong perception and emotion. At long last it is good to see the practical challenges faced by the industry being portrayed in an honest fashion.”

The part of the industry portrayed in the series was the demersal or whitefish sector, which in the last six years has contracted by 65%.

Mr Armstrong added: “These massive cuts have left behind a leaner and fitter fleet. If the fisheries administrators in Brussels, Whitehall and Edinburgh work sensibly with the industry, then there is a great future in sustainably harvesting the natural resources of our world-class fishing grounds.”

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