The fishy history of Grimsby’s ports
Grimsby's fishing docks and market. Photo: Roger Damm
Grimsby is linked worldwide with the sea fishing industry, which once gave the town much of its wealth.
In the late 1800s the fishing fleet was greatly expanded. In a rare reversal of the usual trends, large numbers of fishermen from the South-East and Devon travelled North to join the Grimsby fleet.
During the Second World War many fishing boats were used as warships, and then converted back to trawlers in 1945.
Grimsby reached its peak in the 1950s being the largest and busiest fishing port in the world.
As a result of the on-going Cod Wars with Iceland, the industry went into decline for many years. The cod wars were a series of controntations throughout the lates 50s until the the mid 70s concerning fishing territories.
However, today Grimsby is still home to the largest fish market in the UK, although most sold there is now bought overland.
Grimsby is recognised as the main centre of the UK fish processing industry. In recent years, this expertise has led to diversification into all forms of frozen and chilled foods including being the home of Young’s Seafood. Consequently the town is one of the single largest centres of fish processing in Europe.
Grimsby Traditonal Smoked Fish
Media interest has focused around Grimsby Traditional Smoked Fish and the product being awarded a Protected Geographical Indication by the European Union.
The process used for this particular smoked fish relies on the traditional natural method of slow smoking instead of the more widely used mechanical method.
Holding PGI status means any producers who wish to call their product Grimsby Traditional Smoked Fish must abide by strict quality standards established by the Grimsby Traditional Fish Smokers Group.
