The Great Yarmouth Fishing Industry
Great Yarmouth’s connection with the fishing trade stretches way back into ancient history.

The fishing grounds offshore were renowned even in Roman times, and the sandbank that was eventually to form the town of Yarmouth was used by fishermen from all around England and the Continent.

Unfortunately as with many coastal towns over-fishing over the years has resulted in what was a major industry dwindling to nearly nothing apart from a few longshore fishermen.

The Glorious Silver Darlings
At the height of the fishing trade on one day alone 80 MILLION or 6,000 lasts of herrings were delivered to the Fishwharfs – this day being October 23rd 1907.

By 1918 the average yearly catch had reduced to 40,000 lasts –a last being 13,200 fish so still well over 528 million fish were being caught, and in 1912 52,000 lasts were reported.

The majority of the fish caught was destined for the export trade going to North Germany and even Russia and steamboats used to sail daily to Hamburg with a cargo of 5,000 cases each case containing 600 fish.

Yarmouth also had a thriving trade in exporting dried herrings to the Mediterranean countries.

Yarmouth was also world famous for the celebrated Yarmouth Bloater and Yarmouth Kipper.

Working with the Fish
When the fish had been landed at the Fishwharf, (found to the southern end of the town) they were prepared by the fisher-girls who came mostly from Scotland.

These girls were expert at cutting and gutting the fish, and could work with lightning speed even whilst holding an animated conversation with their co-workers!

At the peak of the fishing trade over 9,000 men were employed on the fishing boats, with over 8,000 fisher-girls involved in the preparation processes, and a further 2,000 people were employed in the various smoke-houses in the town.

Not only that, but the ancillary industries employed huge numbers of people too. Shipwrights built and repaired the vessels, with hundreds more engaged as block and mast makers; basket and net makers; fish barrel and box makers.

One local company employed over 700 people manufacturing seamen’s clothing.

The Origin of the Yarmouth Bloater
Exactly when the first Yarmouth Bloater was made is not clear, but it is believed to have been around 1835 when a herring-curer named Bishop had a happy misfortune.

It transpired that one night a quantity of fresh herrings had been missed and not processed, so as not to waste these fish Bishop is said to have covered them in salt, spitted them and hung them up in the smokehouse.

On his return the next morning he was amazed by their colour and taste and so proceeded to perfect the cure.

In 1919 a Mr J W de Caux J.P. wrote – “A real Yarmouth bloater is a full herring slightly salted and smoked; it should be eaten within two or three days, as it will not ‘keep’ long, and soon loses its flavour”

The Great Yarmouth Fishing Seasons
When the fishing industry was alive there were distinct seasons when the various varieties of fish were caught.
Midsummer Herrings Occasional catches were made from the middle of June to the middle of July
Mackerel May and June
Sprats November and December
’Longshore Herrings These are herring that are still caught along the shoreline and are found towards the end of September

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