GREAT Yarmouth, once one of Britain's busiest fishing ports, is about lose its last trawler.
Brothers Richard and Jason Clarke, are about to haul up their nets for the final time and hire their 32 foot vessel out for North Sea energy support work..
The Clarke brothers, who are fourth generation fishermen, blame over- fishing and "ridiculous" fishing quotas imposed by Europe for the demise of the once-thriving industry.
Richard said: "It used to be the one of the most famous fishing ports in the world."
'They used to say you could walk from one side of the harbour to the other across the boats. It's not that long ago. Old boys here still remember it."
He blamed the EU's quota system for forcing him out and for destroying the town's fishing fleet over the past decade.
In fact Great Yarmouth vied with other East Coast ports like Lowestoft and Grimsby for the top title, although its one 1,000 strong fleet was mostly confined to North Sea operations, while Grimsby trawlers went much further afield.
Much of the industry was built on herring and mackerel. and the town was home to a thriving smoking and packing industry which saw fish caught off the Norfolk shores exported to Germany and Russia.
Great Yarmouth had distinct fishing seasons when various types of fish were caught, ranging from mackerel in May, herring in the late summer and sprats in November and December. It was also the final port of call for the great fleet of Scottish herring drifters who used to make their way down the East Coast.
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