History of Looe's fishing fleet
The history of Looe's fishing fleet can be traced back to pre-medieval times. The twin towns of East and West Looe, linked by a bridge over the Looe River, were each granted a Royal Charter in the 16th century. This gave them the right to trade and fish independently.
By the early 19th century, Looe was a thriving fishing port and had become a major Cornish trading harbour. The town's fleet of fishing boats was known for its size and efficiency, and Looe was one of the leading producers of pilchards in the country.
The fishing industry continued to grow in the 20th century, and by the 1930s, Looe had a fleet of over 200 boats. However, the Second World War had a devastating impact on the fishing industry, and many boats were lost or damaged.
After the war, the fishing industry began to recover, but it never reached the same levels of prosperity as it had before the war. The decline of the pilchard fishery in the 1960s and 1970s was a major blow to the industry, and many boats were laid up or sold.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in fishing in Looe, and the town now has a fleet of around 50 boats from small lobster boats to the bigger (but still small) trawler style boats. The fishing industry is still important to the local economy, and Looe is still one of the most important fishing ports in Cornwall.
Looe fish is renowned for being some of the freshest in the U.K. This is in part due to the large tidal movement in the River Looe. Looe fishing boats are all small in order to get into the River Looe at high tide, because of this, they do not stay out at sea for days on end like some of the larger commercial fishing boats. Looe's fleet leave on a the first high tide of the day, they then fish for 12 hours and return on the following high tide. This means that the catch has only been caught for less than 12 hours before it is landed.
It is possible to buy this freshly caught fish at quayside shops owned by fishing boats next to the unloading facility in the quay in East Looe. Alternatively you can have some of the fish ready made as fish and chips from one of the several amazing fish and chip shops in East Looe.
Here are some of the key events in the history of Looe's fishing fleet:
- 1347: Looe provides 20 ships for the siege of Calais.
- 16th century: East and West Looe are granted Royal Charters.
- Early 19th century: Looe becomes a major Cornish trading harbour.
- 1930s: Looe has a fleet of over 200 boats.
- Second World War: Many boats are lost or damaged.
- Post-war period: Fishing industry begins to recover.
- 1960s and 1970s: Pilchard fishery declines.
- Recent years: Resurgence of interest in fishing in Looe.
If you want to book a holiday to Looe to stay at Banjo Cottage, where you can watch the fishing fleet leave and arrive from the balcony using the binoculars provided please visit the booking page