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When the Boat Comes In

Caz Graham is in Maryport to meet a Cumbrian family fishing business which has weathered the Covid storm and come out the other side more buoyant than ever.

John McAvoy is skipper of the Silverfern. He’s been fishing out of the small west Cumbrian port of Maryport since he was 15, on the hunt for langoustines, scallops and fish like Dover sole and plaice. Last year the pandemic caused a crash in fish prices, as restaurants stood empty. So John started selling his catch direct to the public on the quayside, something the town hadn’t seen in decades. Seafood lovers flocked to the harbour for fish fresh from the boat. Fish markets are returning to normal now, but John’s new quayside customers are still demanding their share of the catch. His daughters take orders on social media and even let customers know what’s been landed while John’s still away at sea. Together with their grandfather, a retired fisherman himself, they then help him sell it fresh from the harbour. Caz Graham reports on this Cumbrian family fishing business which has weathered the Covid storm and come out the other side more buoyant than ever.

Produced and presented by Caz Graham

Available now

22 minutes

Last on

Sun 15 Aug 2021 06:35

Broadcast

  • Sun 15 Aug 2021 06:35