Devon man’s battle to avoid driving thousands of miles to deliver fish

A Brixham fisherman has described his ‘David and Goliath’ battle to sell his catch on the quayside as post-Covid law changes leave him high and dry. Tristan Northway, whose boat Adela is the smallest and oldest in the Brixham^[1] fleet, was able to bring fresh fish to the quay as byelaws were relaxed during the pandemic.

But now the regulations are back into force and he is driving thousands of motorway miles to sell his catch nationwide instead of selling it locally. Mr Northway presented a 763-signature petition to the council at its full meeting, calling for a review of existing byelaws to allow him and other small-scale fishermen in Torbay^[2] harbours to sell their catch directly from their boats.

In the petition he said: “As a passionate fisherman and resident of Torbay, I have been operating my fishing boat in these waters for years.

“During this time, I have witnessed firsthand the abundance of high-quality fish that our coastal region has to offer. I strongly believe that the ability to sell this fresh catch directly from my boat would provide a unique and valuable opportunity for both locals and tourists alike.”

Changing the byelaws, he said, would support small-scale fishermen who are struggling against larger commercial operations. At present he is travelling as far as Stoke-On-Trent and Birmingham to sell his fish, meaning sometimes he only just covers his costs.

He told the meeting: “It would greatly benefit our community, promote our lovely town and surrounding areas, and will contribute to preserving a long-standing tradition in Brixham.

“Like many other businesses during the pandemic, I was severely affected by the drop in market prices, but I adapted my business model and managed to make it work.

“The byelaws are now being enforced again, and it is almost impossible for me to make a decent living. The market is dominated by large-scale trawlers.

“I understand the need for control and regulation, but regulation disadvantages the small boat fisherman.”

The council has accepted the petition, and one of the council’s directors will respond directly to Mr Northway.

He said he hopes the council has listened and will back his plea.

References

1. ^{^} Brixham (www.devonlive.com)
2. ^{^} Torbay (www.devonlive.com)
3. ^{^} Heartbroken family of Devon builder killed by land train say he was ‘cherished’ (www.devonlive.com)
4. ^{^} Exeter restaurant worker leaves country over street crime (www.devonlive.com)