Young Fishermen Network Offers Cornwall's Youth a Future at Sea
On a rare calm morning in Newlyn, Cornwall, 22-year-old Will Roberts returns to the quayside with a fresh catch of mackerel, having set out before dawn. As one of the few young fishers operating his own commercial boat from the port, Roberts embodies a growing trend among Cornwall's youth seeking alternatives to precarious part-time work.
"It's a magical feeling when you set out in the dark, with no one else around, and see the Milky Way in the sky above you," he reflects. "I couldn't imagine working in an office or somewhere indoors, and not be surrounded by all of this."
Taster Days Spark Interest in Maritime Careers
Watching Roberts unload his catch is a group of potential recruits, aged 14 to 22, participating in a taster day organised by Seafood Cornwall Training and the Cornwall Fish Producers' Organisation (CFPO). This initiative aims to attract young people into fishing, offering them a glimpse into a lucrative and sustainable career path.
Cornwall faces significant challenges with self-employed, part-time work, largely tied to tourism, which often results in poorly paid and insecure job options for youth. However, fishing remains a cornerstone of the region's year-round economy, valued at £130 million and supporting 7,800 jobs across the supply chain. According to CFPO reports, each fisher at sea sustains an additional 15 onshore roles, from wholesalers to chefs.
From Seasonal Struggles to Steady Incomes
Participants like Tom Miller, a 17-year-old labourer from Newquay, are eager to transition from unstable employment. After the tour, Miller signed up for a 10-day training course to obtain mandatory certificates for sea work. "People tend to think that fishing is just being cold and wet all the time," he says. "I've always really liked it, and so why not give it a go as a job? It's a more steady income than labouring jobs."
Reece Kelly, 22, from Camborne, shares this enthusiasm, tired of his supermarket job. "I love the sea and I like the idea of doing something outside in the open air that's a bit more exciting than Tesco," he explains.
Matilda Phillips and the Young Fishermen Network
Matilda Phillips, 22, from a fishing family in Cadgwith, co-founded the Young Fishermen Network (YFN) two years ago to support youth entering the industry. With over 70 members across Cornwall's ports, YFN is the UK's first network focused on young fishers.
"Fishing gives young people the opportunity to stay here in Cornwall," Phillips asserts. "People talk about decline in fishing, but what I see is an industry that's thriving. In Cadgwith, there are six full-time boats all crewed by people under 30."
She highlights the cultural significance, noting that fishing provides identity and belonging, with fishermen remaining highly respected in coastal communities.
Economic and Personal Transformations
Fishing veterans like 53-year-old Nigel Taylor, who has decades of experience, share insights with recruits. Taylor recalls when working-class youth could start straight from school and earn substantial sums, though he acknowledges changes in the industry. "That has changed – but there are still fish out there to catch and you can still make a very good living," he says.
According to the National Careers Service, deckhands typically earn between £22,000 and £30,000 annually, but experienced fishers can make up to £40,000 to £50,000 quickly. This potential is eye-opening for participants accustomed to minimum-wage roles in retail or seasonal tourism.
Overcoming Challenges and Building Community
For Will Roberts, fishing has been transformative. Struggling with severe social anxiety and mental health issues as a teenager, he found solace and support among older fishermen in Newlyn. "My anxiety has pretty much disappeared now," he shares. Roberts even runs a popular YouTube channel, The Cornish Fisherman, with videos garnering over 50,000 views, showcasing his line-catching methods and daily life.
Despite recent harsh storms battering Cornwall, Roberts remains committed. "Once fishing is in your blood, it seems to stay there," he says, envisioning a future where he, too, might share stories with younger generations from a harbour bench.
A Sustainable Future for Coastal Communities
This movement aligns with broader efforts to address youth unemployment in coastal areas, where young people often face poverty, poor housing, and limited opportunities. By investing in training and networks like YFN, Cornwall is not only preserving its fishing heritage but also offering viable career paths that keep youth rooted in their communities.
As Phillips summarises, "Fishing gives you an identity, a sense of belonging." Through initiatives like these, Cornwall's youth are charting a course toward a more secure and fulfilling future, proving that the tide may be turning in favour of sustainable maritime careers.
