A Portrait Of The Cornish Shellfish Industry

FALMOUTH, ENGLAND - MARCH 17 : Oyster fisherman Jonathan Bailey works the River Fal oyster beds under sail on March 17, 2021 in Mylor, Falmouth, United Kingdom. The River Fal oyster beds are the only beds still harvested under sail and oar in Europe. This process creates a naturally sustainable environment as the number of oysters caught is low and the oystermen are permitted to only work a set number of hours per day. Since Brexit the UK is classed as a "third country" by the EU meaning that shellfish exported from the waters around Cornwall are now required to go through a depuration process. Bivalves, such as oysters and mussels, are kept in a clean water tank to purge possible contaminants before exports are permitted into EU countries. Prior to Brexit EU buyers were able to re-locate the British shellfish in their own waters and process them as and when sold, now the whole of each batch is stressed before transport and in need of onward selling in a much shorter timeframe. Shellfish fishers have appealed to the UK's environment secretary, George Eustice MP, to "urgently explore" help for the country's shellfish business, valued at £12million per year, which has been disrupted by the new regulations and many fishers are facing an uncertain future. (Photo by Hugh Hastings/Getty Images)