Norfish 03 English Herring Fishery 1520 – 1790

The English herring fishery was active as an industry since at least medieval times and likely even earlier (Galloway 2017). The abundance of the annual herring migration from North to South along the East of England coast led to many fleets carrying out their fishing efforts in these productive waters during the herring season, including local English fishers. However, despite the clear engagement in the industry, there is very little archival evidence of actual statistical data that indicates specific catches, landings and import/export figures. Also, there is little indication of the level of domestic consumption for England. This lacuna makes any reasonable evaluation of the magnitude of the herring catch particularly difficult.