Changes of the sea fishing industry of southern England since the Second World War

When compared with the sea fishing industry in the country as a whole, that of the south of England is seen to consist of a disproportionately large number of small operational units; part-time fishermen play relatively a greater part in the south than nationally and much fishing by the owners of small boats continues only because of the support provided by tourists in the summer and the "dole" in the winter. The largest landings of both wet and shellfish have been made consistently in Devon and Cornwall and, although most plaice have been taken in Rye and Hythe Bays by boats from south Kent and Sussex, there are few other important grounds in the eastern part of the area and even the oyster production of Whitstable has declined almost to insignificance. In general terms, the post-war period has witnessed an overall reduction of activities despite a recent revival in some sections. Fortunately, the economic vulnerability of the contracted industry has been lessened by improved fishing techniques, an increasing degree of rationalisation, particularly in marketing, the demise of many uneconomic operating units, the recruitment of younger fishermen and, possibly, improved stocks of some fish. It is to be expected that in the future the industry will show some limited expansion, although no revolutionary changes can be foreseen unless they are based on the exploitation of fisheries well outside the areas at present worked.