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When the Boats Come In - Falmouth

The oystermen of the River Fal estuary have been knocked sideways by Brexit. With their future under threat they must battle to save their precarious way of life.

The oystermen of the River Fal estuary have been dredging in sailing boats for hundreds of years. But their traditional way of life has been knocked sideways by Brexit. Exports to France - where their catch of native oysters and queen scallops are popular - have been hit hard by new rules.

Les and Dan Angell are a father-and-son team from Falmouth who sail up and down the Carrick Roads channel six days a week, towing small dredges behind their boat. Life was tough enough already when in January 2021 they were forced to stop fishing and beach their boat for the reminder of the season, losing income of more than £300 a day.

Local shellfish merchant Martin Laity has bought their produce for years, selling it on to the same loyal customers in France that his family dealt with a century ago. All that changed in January 2021. Exports of shellfish ground to a halt and his business was left floundering.

This documentary follows Martin and his business partner Tom as they navigate the choppy waters of post-Brexit Britain, looking for new ways to generate income and trying desperately to keep the community of fishermen like Les and Dan afloat.

29 minutes

Credits

Role Contributor
Director Alastair McKee
Executive Producer Mesha Stewart
Executive Producer Sarah Trigg
Commissioning Editor Aisling O'Connor

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