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Fish has been recognised as a major food source from the earliest times. However, it wasn't until the early 19th century that fishing became industrialised. Herring fishing, especially, developed rapidly, partly as a result of UK Governmental tonnage bounties and, also, because of more efficient modes of transport enabling fish to be delivered rapidly to distant markets. It has been stated that nowhere in the world, was a greater variety of fish, than in the North Sea.
Over time, more and more specialised boats, and fishing methods, have been developed leading to localised activity around the sheltered ports with good harbour facilities. For every fisherman at sea, there were several jobs ashore, most of these being done by the fishermens families. Such work included gutting, preserving, line baiting and net repairing. Fisher folk tended to keep themselves to themselves.
In many North East ports in particular, there was also a religious divide resulting from the influence of Plymouth Brethren and other faith missions. In the Highlands and Islands it was common practice for families to combine crafting with in-shore fishing. Recent years have seen the industry increasingly regulated with fishing activity concentrated on fewer large ports capable of handling large catches.