Meet the fishers

Meet the Hastings Dover sole trammel net fishers 

Fishing has been a longstanding family tradition in Hastings for over a thousand years. Today fishing remains important to the town's economy and Hastings is home to the largest beach-based fishing fleet in Europe.  

In September 2005, the Hastings fishing fleet pelagic fishery, for mackerel and herring, and the Hastings fishing fleet Dover sole fishery were awarded Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for well managed fisheries.

Fishing Sector Development Officer of Hastings Borough Council, comments: “The fishermen at Hastings are fishing today in much the same way as they have for hundreds of years, and the MSC certification endorses the sustainable nature of the hard work they do. Hastings Borough Council supports their efforts, and now local businesses are beginning to recognize that their customers are increasingly demanding environmentally sourced products. MSC certification means a great deal to Hastings fishing industry and to the fishermen who provide MSC-certified fish.”

In Hastings, local sourcing, sustainable seafood and small businesses go hand in hand. Fishmonger Rock-a-Nore Fisheries, all-organic Judges Bakery  and two restaurants, Pissarro’s in Hastings and The Place Camber Sands near Rye are among the first small and independent businesses committed to sourcing sustainable seafood from MSC-certified fisheries. This has opened new opportunities for MSC-certified fisheries, and both Hastings based fisheries are reaping the benefits.

For further information, please visit the Hastings Borough Council website.