\u2018Don\u2019t struggle in silence\u2019 is the message from the chief executive of a charity that has seen an influx in calls and requests from fishers impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the EU Exit over the last year.<\/p>\n
The Fishermen\u2019s Mission<\/a>, which provides emergency support as well as practical, financial, spiritual and emotional care to active or retired fishermen and their families, received around 50% more calls in the first months of 2021 than in the same period in 2020.<\/p>\n In recognition of the hardship faced by people working in the sector at this time, the Scottish Government awarded up to \u00a3300,000 to the Fishermen\u2019s Mission in February, making it the first Government in the UK to provide this type of welfare support to specifically mitigate the effects of both COVID-19 and the end of the post-EU Exit transition period.<\/p>\n Chief executive David Dickens said:<\/p>\n \u201cAt the first lockdown last year when there was the collapse of markets which affected everyone from the crab and lobster guys, to the mussel growers and prawn fishermen, we had a big peak in demand, well in excess of what we\u2019d normally expect in the March to May timeframe.<\/p>\n \u201cAs restrictions lifted, people were able to get back out and fish a bit and the markets opened up a bit but then there was the run of poor weather in the autumn, and of course we went straight back down to another lockdown followed by EU Exit, and months on we\u2019re finding the markets are still suppressed.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Scotland we are seeing fishermen going to sea to make enough money to keep the boat running so that they have a job when prices go up, and all the while they are trying to get by, by using up savings and acquiring debts. We\u2019re seeing clients with significant levels of debt which they are taking on just to keep the lights on and put food on the table. In fact one of our partner charities, is running at 300% of their normal loading, while we\u2019re pushing out around \u00a320,000 a week in terms of general living expenses.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Scottish Government funding has been great as it\u2019s been supporting our general work rather than being specified for a particular service. It recognises that welfare need is burgeoning and people\u2019s needs are different at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n Operating across the UK, the charity has 13 representatives working in fishing communities in Scotland. Individuals can contact the charity through the website,<\/a> via the freephone telephone number 0800 6341020 or can get in touch with local reps<\/a> to discuss their issues and they will then be signposted to the most relevant types of support for them.<\/p>\n In 2020 the Fishermen\u2019s Mission dealt with 9,500 people and had 21,000 interactions with individuals, which included keeping in touch with retired fishers, as well as paying out \u00a31.4 million in support to fishing communities across the UK.<\/p>\n Are you in need of a chat with someone who understands fishing & the stresses you face?<\/p>\n You can send us a direct message here, visit our website, or call our freephone 0800 634 1020https:\/\/t.co\/DRPdOOdG67<\/a><\/p>\n Image: @JoanneRCoates<\/a>, Cumbria 2012 pic.twitter.com\/AUPoNbH1Ta<\/a><\/p>\n — Fishermen's Mission (@thefishmish) February 16, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n