This is one of a set of three films commissioned by the YFA from students from York St John University. They feature interviews with an ex-fishermen and ex-seaman, a fish merchant's son, and fishing historian Robb Robinson. The films cover the history of fishing in Hull with footage from films held by the YFA of fishing at sea and of St Andrew's Docks. Record Film 3: The Decline of the Hull Fishing Industry A film by James Cairns, Dominic Ibson, Craig Davis The film opens with ships...

This is one of a set of three films commissioned by the YFA from students from York St John University. They feature interviews with an ex-fishermen and ex-seaman, a fish merchant's son, and fishing historian Robb Robinson. The films cover the history of fishing in Hull with footage from films held by the YFA of fishing at sea and of St Andrew's Docks. Record Film 3: The Decline of the Hull Fishing Industry A film by James Cairns, Dominic Ibson, Craig Davis The film opens with ships berthed and being unloaded at either King George V or Queen Elizabeth Docks in Hull. Intertitle - The importance of the fishing industry to the economy of Hull According to Robb Robinson, during the Edwardian era, Hull was Britain's' third largest port. The fishing industry was an important part of this and fundamental to the area of the Hessle Road. There are scenes of boys playing in streets in Hull from the 1950s, taken from the Turner Collection, 'Hull Street Scenes.' Intertitle - "Four times more dangerous than coal mining" Robinson explains that fishing was, and still is today, Britain's most dangerous industry. When out on the fishing grounds, you could be working for 20 hours a day or more. Fishermen are shown out at sea bringing in a catch. Robinson goes on to state that many of the skills of the fishermen, especially the trawlers skippers, are being lost. Intertitle - The way of life built around the docks Although the fishing docks weren't as commercially important as the other docks, like King George and Queen Elizabeth, they were for the local area. The film shows many trawlers berthed at the dock, and Robinson remembers meeting his father as he came home, not thinking that it would ever disappear. Intertitle - The Cod Wars -"The inevitable demise" Robinson explains that the cod wars had a crucial psychological effect as well as an important economic effect. The fishing agreement meant that Britain lost access to Icelandic fishing grounds from 1976, leaving it in effect with nowhere else to fish; meaning that its demise was inevitable. The industry and the way of life have gone, having both a psychological impact and creating an image issue for Hull which was renowned for fishing. But recently some people have brought this back to life, and the film shows a museum room full of model trawlers together with accompanying information. Intertitle - "Big brave Britain beaten by little Iceland" David Harrison states that for Iceland they only had the fishing industry, and that is how the fishing wars began. He states that Britain was beaten by two small fishery protection vessels, the Odin and the Thaw, which would ram the British vessels, while all they could only retaliate by spaying hot water. Intertitle - The lasting legacy David Harrison states that things are improving. Intertitle - "It just faded away" According to Harrison, there are still a lot of old seamen around, but he is sorry to say that Hull hasn't done anything to bring the memories of fishing together; it just faded, even though it was what made this city great and paid for many of the buildings. The film finishes with an image of a family waving at a fishing vessel as it makes its way off to sea. End Credits - Many thanks to the interviewees David Harrison and Robb Robinson, Hull History Centre, York St John University, footage courtesy of The Yorkshire Film Archive