Trawlermen: Hunting the Catch

In this episode, it’s the last trip before Christmas and, with demand surging, fish prices are rising. Off the south coast of Cornwall, Ocean Pride is heading out in pursuit of pollock among the old sunken shipwrecks of the English Channel. 380 miles away on the Yorkshire coast, crabber Tydus is preparing to head out with hopes of a big pay day. The aim is to put six tons in the tank, a catch that this week could fetch well over £30,000. Off the south coast of Devon, Margaret of Ladram, one of Brixham’s most successful beam trawlers, is on the hunt for one of the most lucrative species in British waters, Dover sole.

Off the coast of Yorkshire, Siwrengale is heading out for the beginning of the North Sea whelk season. Skipper Darren Warters is on the hunt with sons Regan and Lewis. Asian demand has created a lucrative fishery in this small patch of the North Sea, but winter storms have badly damaged their pots. Miles of rope must be untangled before they can begin fishing in earnest.