EXPLORING SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DIMENSIONS OF FISHING IN THE ENGLISH CHANNEL (ACTION 6.2)

University of Greenwich: Dr Tim Acott Dr Julie Urquhart Fakhar Khalid Ludovic Dupuis Project Aims

• To explore the social and cultural impacts of marine fisheries on coastal communities • Looking at the contribution and importance of marine fishing to: place identity, cultural heritage, sense of place and social capital. • To inform the development of fisheries policy Why do we need social research?

• Most fisheries policy and “fishing is the glue research has centred around biological and economic that holds the objectives community • There is a lack of understanding of the socio- together” cultural impacts of fishing reforms and policies Brookfield et al 2005 • Policies that include social objectives are more likely to succeed in restoring fish stocks & a sustainable fishing sector Why do we need social research?

Cornwall Tourist • Active fishing Board Image of communities contribute to local social fabric, culture & image of an area & its use for marketing • Possible social/cultural impacts of loss of fisheries include: outmigration, unemployment, loss of fishing identity / social cohesion / kinship ties, loss of cultural heritage, etc.

Newlyn It’s not just about the fish! Study Areas & Approach

Cornwall – , Kent/Sussex – , Faversham, Falmouth, Hastings, , Ramsgate, Rye, , Whitstable , , , , , Porthallow, , Porthoustock, St Ives, The , Mevagissey, East Portholland, – Devon – Brixham, Weymouth & Poole Dartmouth, – forthcoming Salcombe, April 2010 Paignton Progress

Case Study selection in : • Scoping visits • Inventory (with Action 9.2) – processing, fishermens’ organisations, tourism-related activities (e.g. Sightseeing trips), museums, festivals, fishing agencies (also NGOs, partnerships) • Fishing vessel data – catch value & no. vessels • Landscape Character Assessment • Tourism representation – selected from Defra stats on registered fishing vessels & catch data (every town in study area with registered fishing vessels) Conceptual framework for understanding the socio / cultural impacts of marine fishing

PHYSICAL •Fish •Architecture •Function of buildings ACTIVITIES •Public art, monuments, •Festivals statues, plaques, •Music (Singing, murals, sculpture P A song writing) •External signage •Art (information boards, •Literature / pub signs, shop signs, tales shop names, menus) •Education •Ruins and remains from the past •Leisure •Food (menus, recipes, •Eating specialities) •Place decoration e.g. miscellaneous fishing MEANINGS clutter (nets, floats, chains, anchors) M •This ‘intangible’ dimension is rooted •Fishing Boats in people’s outlook on marine fishing •Post cards and other and will vary with individuals and souvenir items stakeholders. •Books, information leaflets, internal Key stakeholders include: information boards, tourism information •Fishermen booklets •Teachers •Newspaper articles and •Museums curators magazines •Conservation groups •Place names •Tourism promoters •Internet •People directly involved with Our area of interest tourism (catering, accommodation, attractions) •Tourist Fisheries, materiality and place identity - Boats

Rye

St Ives

Pemberth Fisheries, materiality and place identity – Built environment

Poltesco

Rye

Mevagiss ey Mevagissey Fisheries, materiality and place identity – street decoration

Falmouth

Porthleven Hastings Fisheries, materiality and place identity – fishing “clutter”

Hastings

Ramsgate

Whitstable Fisheries, materiality and place identity – shop front and signage

Mousehole

Mousehole

Mevagissey Fisheries, materiality and place identity – cafes/restaurants/pubs

Whitstable

Dartmouth

Cadgwith

Newlyn Fisheries, materiality and place identity –

Information boards Hastings

Falmouth

Whitstable Brixham Fisheries, materiality and place identity – monuments/sculpture

Hastings

Newlyn Fisheries, materiality and place identity – Museums, trusts

Mevagissey Ramsgate

Hastings Fisheries, materiality and place identity - Printed texts and images

Guide Books Fisheries, materiality and place identity: Printed texts and images

Postcards Fisheries, art and place identity

Newlyn School of Painters

St Ives harbour

Between The Tides 1901

Cornish harbour 2006 Fisheries, tradition and place identity – singing and festivals Organisations supporting fisheries

• For example: • Fisherman’s Mission • Industrial units • Port facilities etc Cornwall

Cadgwith

Newlyn Devon

Brixham

Salcombe Kent/Sussex

Hastings

Whitstable Tourism representation Next steps

UK Field work: • Kent/Sussex – June/July 2010 • Cornwall – August 2010 • Devon/Dorset – October/November 2010

France field work: • Scoping/design – February/March 2011 • Field work – spring 2011