Seining Along Chesil: Voices from a Dorset fishing community

For hundreds of years, fishing communities along the Dorset coast lived from the shoals of mackerel that migrate between May and October. The stories, photographs, and recordings collected here give us a vivid picture of a way of life that has largely disappeared.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 16 December 2022
Publisher: Little Toller Books

For centuries, fishing communities along the Dorset coast thrived by harvesting the mackerel that migrate between May and October. These fishermen employed traditional techniques, such as using seine nets in shallow waters and relying on wooden lerret boats to bring in substantial catches. Their livelihoods were intricately linked to the seasonal cycle of fishing, shaping their relationships, rivalries, identities, and languages. The stories, photographs, and recordings collected in this collection provide a captivating glimpse into a way of life that has largely vanished. We hear tales of family gatherings on the beach, where generations came together to share in the bountiful harvest. We also learn about the men and women who dedicated their lives to fishing, possessing intimate local knowledge that was passed down through generations. These voices, resonating through time, shed light on the deep connections these individuals had with their coastal surroundings and their reliance on the customs and practices of the beach.

Dimension: 225 x 150 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781915068088