The image of a fishing boat out at sea, bobbing along, pulling in its catch or lobster pots has a certain romanticism about it.
Wales is surrounded on three sides by the sea, and our small coves and harbours have a long history with many folktales and myths associated with stories from the sea. Coastal communities, like Nefyn, used to be nearly entirely dependent on fishing to sustain the families. In fact, the ‘penwaig’ (herring) was so abundant off the north Llyn coast that they used to call it Biff Nefyn – Nefyn Beef.
The fishing and maritime heritage is part of our Welsh and British identities, the stark truth is that fishing itself will soon become part of our folklore and something belonging to a by-gone era if something is not done soon. Because fishing and its place in Wales’ coastal communities is disappearing in front of our eyes.
