Industry Evolves

Although there is evidence of fishing taking place in Pembrokeshire from the 16th Century, it was not until the following Century that a fishing industry was established.

The first major fishing port was found at Tenby. A major reason for this was the presence of a large curved pier which provided good shelter and protection to boats and vessels.

The arrival of the Great Western Railway at Tenby in 1866 had a significant impact on the fishing industry as it allowed freshly caught fish to be delivered daily to the larger industrial towns up the line in the Valleys and South Wales.

The increased demand for fresh fish led to the rise in the number of local vessels and fishermen that were operating from Tenby. It also encouraged many of the Tenby fishermen to explore the fishing potential of the Bristol Channel and the Irish Coast.

Following the establishment of a successful fishing industry at Tenby, other ports started to develop into major fishing ports. The largest and most successful of Pembrokeshire's fishing ports was that of Milford Haven, which developed its fishing industry after and attempt to be a major transatlantic port failed. At itts peak the port of Milford was one of the biggest fishing ports in the UK with over 50,000 tons of fish being landed in one year.