Brixham Heritage Database

Listed below are selected storylines from the Brixham Western Guardian which reflect changes in our port's fishing industry. Our archives contain both bound newspapers and cuttings dating from 1902, and most relevant articles are indexed on our database. For details of our search service, click here.

Turn of the century

• January 2 1902 Reference to decline in fishing industry.
• January 9 1902 During the past three years there has been a loss of 44 vessels which means loss of employment for 150+ men and boys.
• February 2 1905 Record catch of Whiting by steam trawler "Arabian".
• October 5 1905 Dog Fish Plague.
• October 12 1905 Concern over disputes with French over Channel Fishing Rights
• November 9 1905. Illegal trawling in Start Bay. Brixham trawler fined for fishing within prohibited limits.

World War 1

• March 11 1915 Fishing craft idle due to crews being called up for War Service
• April 6 1916 Devon Sea Fisheries Committee approached for grant to experiment with motor power for fishing boats
• June 1 1916 Fish catches have risen to more than one third of the weight of domestic meat produced.
• January 4, 1917. Torpedoes sink trawlers.
• February 1, 1917. Great winter gale. Very little fish supply this week.
• July 5, 1917. Brixham fishermen called on for naval service and the Royal Naval Reserve.

Between the wars

• January 3, 1929 Gale in Torbay. Compulsory insurance for fisherman who haven't obtained it already. Brixham is the only port which still has a fleet of first class fishing vessels that rely on sails.
• January 10, 1929 War wrecks in fishing grounds lead to serious losses to fishing industry.
• July 11, 1929 Fishery board report fish killed by pollution.
• December 19, 1929 Phenomenal fish prices at Brixham because of fish 'famine'.
• January 1, 1931 Due to lack of wind, over half a dozen fishing smacks fail to reach port.
• May 7. 1931 Trawling gear damaged by minefield debris
• July 16. 1931 Chaotic litter between Portland and the Scillies has destroyed a valuable fishing ground for a magnificent type of fishing craft in the wake of mine sweeping/laying operations.
• December 3. 1931 Parliamentary Fisheries Committee urge the need for protection for the fishing industry against unfair foreign competition.
• May 19 1932 Mechanical power seen as reason for success of foreign trawlers.
• February 9 1933 Three Mile Limit imposed.
• August 3, 1933 Regulations came into force on size of fish landed and mesh size.
• January 3, 1935 Loss of employment in fleet of fishing smacks in Brixham continues
• February 14, 1935 Plymouth biologists find an alarming lack of young herrings
• February 28, 1935 The strongest winter gale over Torbay
• April 11, 1935 A strong gale with torrential rain hits Brixham.
• May 30, 1935 Fishing smack converted to cruiser yacht
• July 25, 1935 Brixham Trawler for sale
• April 13, 1939. Deep sea fishing is Britain's most dangerous job.

World War 2

• January 9, 1941 Hardship for fishermen
• April 24, 1941 Fishermen’s rations lower then other food producers
• Sept.11, 1941 Fishermans earnings: £10 - £15 a week for an 18 year old

Post War Years

• September 13, 1945. Mines picked up in trawling gear.
• July 21 1949 New Fish Market proposed
• January 10. 1952 Bad year for trawlers. Heavy increase in cost of materials. Shortage of crew.
• November 27 1952 Torpedo entangled in trawl.

Modern times

• January 24.1957 Fish price increase follows price rise in fuel and diesel for trawlers
• May 22 1958 Opening ceremony for Brixhams new landing stage.
• August 15 1963. First National Trawler Race for ten years.
• January 20 1966 Brixham Council decide on site for flake ice plant.
• February 9 1967 Fish landings at Brixham are highest since before World War 2
• May 4 1967 New Fish Market site agreed
• November 16 1967 Fish landings doubled, fishermen having taken over the industry.