The fishery districts are Donaghadee, Strangford, Newcastle and Carlingford, together comprising 139 miles of maritime boundaries, which had, in 1853, 1,468 registered fishing vessels, employing 4,642 men and boys.

The industry profited from inflated prices during and after World War One, but the post-war economic slump caused a dramatic decline. The problem was made worse by government protection of English and Scottish fishing industries and an overall decline in local fish stocks. Yet, although the volume and value of herring fell sharply, the resultant drop in the level of outside input meant that local men were still able to make a decent living from existing resources. The brunt of the post-war collapse was also born by the cured herring export industry, again much of which was carried on by outsiders. The early herring season, which lasted from April to mid July, was worked only by local boats and directed primarily at fresh markets. In 1930 earnings in this period averaged £200 per head, on top of what local fishermen could gain from July onwards during the main season.⁶ This was a substantial income when it is considered that apart from the skipper, who was often a full or part owner of the boat, fishermen only received a portion of the proceeds of each catch on a share basis.

Again extra capital and commercial competition spurred technical improvements. When Scottish boats began to work the Co Down coast around 1923-4, Mourne fishermen took note of their modern equipment and working methods and began to purchase similar boats with powerful engines and winches through loans and grants available from the government. They also adopted the seine net, which meant deep-feeding species such as whiting, cod, sole and plaice could be caught. The first local boat to try the seine net was the Tusker, owned by Henry J Doyle, followed by the Winifred, owned by Fishers of Newry and the Peace and Plenty, owned jointly by Tom Chambers, George Chambers and James Henry MacBride.⁷ The winter whiting fishery that grew steadily from the 1920s was by the end of the 1930s tremendously important for the region. Whiting fishing demanded different equipment, skills and technical knowledge, and introduced an additional fishing season between November and March to the herring season from April to September, significantly changing the pattern and lifestyle of the local industry. More men were able to gain their sole living from fishing and the business began to attract a greater proportion of the younger generation, who had previously considered the occupation too uncertain and unpredictable.⁸

Full article at:  http://www.downcountymuseum.com/publications/ds2002/pg17.asp

Kilkeel harbour: A fishing community in flux by: Gemma Reid
http://www.downcountymuseum.com/uploads/2002_ReidKilkeelHarbour.doc

The White Haired Lass
A painting by Captain James Doyle

Assorted photographs
slide show

Assorted articles (in PDF)
Ships that worked out of Annalong
Boats registered in Newry
Sailing ships of Mourne
The Water Lily

Phone box surrounded with fishing nets