When you picture the UK fishing industry, what comes to mind? The real story is brighter than you think...

caryl55
Sep 17
4 min read

At Shell on Earth, the whelk is more than just a shellfish - it’s part of our family story. For 50 years, we’ve worked within the UK seafood industry, taking the humble whelk on a journey from the fishing pot to the plant pot, transforming what was once a by-product into something beautiful and useful for gardens across the country.

A healthy, thriving UK fishing industry isn’t just important - it’s the heartbeat of what we do. It supports our family business, sustains the communities we grew up in, and keeps alive a tradition that stretches back generations. That’s why we’re proud to shine a light on the positive changes in UK fishing - from its growing focus on sustainability to the vital jobs it provides - and celebrate the role it plays in helping us bring you our shells.

Why a thriving UK fishing industry matters - to us, to our coasts, and to the future

For many people, it’s overfishing headlines, images of empty seas, and a sense that it’s all a bit unsustainable. But here’s the thing - the real story is far more encouraging. Let’s bust a few common myths and share some good news about what’s happening around our coasts.

Tools of the trade: pots and ropes waiting on the harbour wall, ready for another day at sea. These simple, time-worn essentials remind us that fishing is still deeply rooted in tradition – connecting generations of coastal communities and helping to bring fresh, sustainable seafood to our tables.

How UK Fishing Has Changed for the Better: Tradition, Sustainability & Community

Over the past few decades, the UK fishing industry has gone through waves of change - some challenging, but many deeply positive. If we look back 30 years, it’s clear that tradition, science, and community have helped steer things toward a more sustainable, resilient future.

Tradition & Community Roots Still Strong

Fishing has always been more than a job on the UK coast. It’s tradition. Many fishing towns - from Cornwall to Shetland - are built around the harbour, the nets, the tides. While the number of people working on fishing vessels has dropped from its peak, many coastal communities remain deeply connected to the sea: processing, preserving, transporting, selling. The skills are passed down, the local markets still thrive, and ports are still the beating heart of many towns.

Fisheries Managed More Responsibly

Science has become a far bigger part of how fishing is regulated. Quota systems (Total Allowable Catches) are more routinely based on scientific advice. Overfishing in many stocks is no longer the default - instead there’s better monitoring, stricter rules, and efforts to restore depleted stocks. This shift means less pressure on marine life and a better chance that fish populations will remain healthy well into the future.

Historic harbour dues board at New Quay Harbour - a reminder of the bustling maritime trade that shaped this coastal community, from coal and limestone to tea and tobacco.

Aquaculture Growing as a Sustainable Partner

Wild capture fishing has limits (you can’t take more than nature gives), so aquaculture (farmed fish, shellfish, seaweed) has stepped up. The UK now produces hundreds of thousands of tonnes of aquaculture annually. It supplies local markets, provides export opportunities, and often does so with lower environment impact - especially when farms use best practices. For communities with fewer fishing resources, aquaculture offers diversification and new jobs.

Boosting the Economy & Local Jobs

Fishing and seafood processing still contribute significantly to local economies. Harbours employ boat crews, processors, transporters, markets, equipment suppliers - it's a chain. These are often in remote or coastal areas where there are fewer alternative jobs. The industry supports livelihoods in places where every landing, every catch, every export matters. Moreover, sustainable practices and new green funding are helping modernise boats and operations, pushing toward cleaner, more efficient technologies.

Innovations & Greener Moves

A few examples of how things have improved:

Investment in newer, more efficient or greener boat engines is underway, helping reduce fossil fuel use.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and regulations are expanding, often to protect sensitive habitats and allow ecosystems to recover.
Fisheries are participating more in certification or improvement programmes (e.g. MSC) to raise standards and build consumer confidence.

New Quay Harbour has been a safe haven for boats since the 19th century - built to support local fishing fleets and still a hub for the community today.

Read more about New Quay's history here -

https://www.newquay-westwales.co.uk/then-and-now.html

Why It Matters & What We Can Do

All these positive trends aren’t just good for fish. They’re good for people, for jobs, for communities and for future generations. Supporting UK-caught seafood, reading labels, choosing sustainable options and even using our shells - they all help. When we do this, we help keep traditions alive, communities strong, and seas healthy.