Coastal Fishing

Shrimps, mussels, cockles, flounder, whitebait and other types of fish were all harvested around the shallow margins of Morecambe Bay. Salmon and sea trout have been eagerly fished in the estuaries and rivers. This rich source of food tempted the villagers around the coast to exploit this resource in a variety of ways - not just by boat. Fish traps, hand nets, horses and carts, forks, rakes and baskets were the earliest methods and widespread boat owning came later.

Sometimes whole families - men, women and children - were on the sands together to earn their living. Fishing folk were out in all weathers and in all months  of the year. They had to be aware of the hazards of fog, quicksands, deep channels and fast-flowing tides which claimed many victims.