Heritage Fisheries - Traditional Fishing Skills

Heritage Fisheries

Until the last century traditional fish traps made of natural materials had been used since the arrival of the very first peoples to our shores. Plants and trees such as heather, willow and hazel were grown locally, and their long slender branches were then cut and woven together to make creels and weirs that would help sustain the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities for many generations - catching crustaceans and fish to feed their families and trade for other goods at local markets, which forms part of our rich coastal culture and maritime fisheries heritage.

Cultural Education

We believe in the importance of cultural education surrounding our identity and our heritage of traditional fishing, which has been the provider of a vital food source for generations. Therefore, it is paramount that we keep our traditions alive, and unless we start thinking ahead, centuries of skills and knowledge around our coast will be irretrievably lost. It is a common belief that history repeats itself, and it is a well-known fact that no one knows what the long-term future holds. With this in mind, we must ensure that the teaching and the learning of the ways of our past is made accessible to everyone, especially to today's young people so that the basic skillset needed for future coastal communities to subsist through good times and bad will never be lost.

Keeping Traditional Skills Alive

The craft of traditional willow pot making for fishing is on the red endangered list, and it is a skill that is at risk of completely dying out, which is why we are very determined to promote it to enable the craft to both survive and thrive. Coming from a generation that grew up with traditional fishing, we feel it is very important that we maintain our family's heritage which has enriched us with a unique set of valuable knowledge and skills handed down from our elders. With a rich blend of seafaring experience and traditional hand-weaving techniques, with locally grown willow we can master a variety of styles and sizes of traditional creels, serving both fishing needs and other purposes. Each pot is a testament to our commitment to preserving the heritage of fishing, capturing the essence of natural beauty and authenticity.