Fishermen driven to brave the elements

AS a member of the fishing community, and a trawling skipper for the past 20 years, I find it very difficult to come to terms with the recent loss of two boats and some of their crew — although over my lifetime in fishing, I have lost many a good friend to the sea.

Since Ireland’s entry into the EU, I have seen fishing communities battle to retain what was left of their resources, to keep alive the very communities they come from.

The public, which these communities serve, have little or no understanding of the driving force behind these communities, which for generations have put to sea. Fishermen work together like no other industry, through the good times and the bad times, sharing and supporting each other. If there are no fish, there is no pay.