Cornwall: This Fishing Life

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Can a new generation of fishermen save their traditional way of life?

As Brexit brings new hope, can a new generation of fishermen save their traditional way of life?

Series 1

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Cornwall: This Fishing Life: Series 1: Episode 6

Episode 6

BBC Two - Cornwall: This Fishing Life, Series 1, Episode 6

Brexit is coming and change is on the horizon in Newlyn, Cornwall’s biggest fishing port.

Change is on the horizon in Newlyn, Cornwall’s biggest fishing port, as Brexit is coming. As the town prepares to navigate uncharted waters, the new harbour master is at the helm.

Newlyn is Cornwall’s biggest fishing port. The harbour is home to over 100 boats, and for generations fishermen from here have sold fish in the town’s busy market. Not much has changed around here for nearly 100 years - until now. Brexit is coming and as the town prepares to navigate these uncharted waters, one man is at the helm - harbour master Rob Parsons. He has been in post for five years but is still regarded as the new harbour master. Rob oversees every aspect of the daily running of the harbour, from the quayside to the market. 

The harbour is managed by Rob and a board of commissioners on behalf of the stakeholders, mainly fishermen and related industries. He has already overseen a £1.3 million redevelopment of the town’s fish market, but with Britain about to leave the European Union, Rob wants to make sure the harbour is ready to take advantage of any opportunity Brexit may bring. And he is using EU money to help him do so.

The market is only the first step in Rob's vision for a new Newlyn. There are plans in place to redevelop an area of the port and revitalise the harbour’s ageing infrastructure, but change doesn’t always come easy and not everyone is happy about the proposed plans. Many fishermen are angry at the way things have been handled, feeling they have not been consulted on the future of their harbour. As tensions begin to rise, Rob finds himself facing some difficult conversations. 

There are other changes rumoured to be taking place on Newlyn’s fish market. For decades, the daily fish auction has been run by local family firm WS Stevenson & Sons, a name synonymous with Newlyn. Word on the market floor though is that the harbour may be looking to introduce a second auctioneer, a rival firm from Devon.

While rumours spread and tensions rise in Newlyn, the whole of the UK is in the midst of Brexit turmoil. Many fishermen think Brexit will bring a brighter future for their industry and now they want MPs to deliver on the promises made during the referendum to take back control over British waters and quotas. As the deadline draws closer and negotiations intensify, fishermen fear that their industry may be sacrificed, but Newlyn men continue to make their voices heard.

Cornwall: This Fishing Life: Series 1

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Cornwall: This Fishing Life

Series 1

Episode 6

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