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The regeneration of the UK’s fishing, boat-building, and seafaring industries, coupled with revitalising our beloved coastlines, is not just a patriotic dream—it’s an untapped economic treasure waiting to be claimed. And where better to start this revival than along the picturesque coastline of North Yorkshire? Imagine the quaint harbours of Whitby and Scarborough bustling with newly-built boats, local seafood markets bursting at the seams, and Yorkshire’s seaside towns once again playing a central role in Britain’s maritime story. Drawing on empirical research and lessons from successful international examples there is a strong argument that investing in these industries could lead to significant economic and environmental benefits.

Let’s dive straight into this (no pun intended).

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1. Fishing: From Betrayal to Renewal

The UK’s fishing industry has seen its fair share of ups and downs, and nowhere has this been more felt than in North Yorkshire. 1971 was perhaps the industry’s darkest hour which saw Edward Heath’s government giving up all fishing rights to the European Economic Community (EEC) in order to secure the UK’s accession to the EEC. Heath told the House of Commons that Britain had retained complete control over its coastal waters, but this was a lie. Successive Conservative and Labour governments continued to deny this for at the next 30 years.

Once home to thriving fishing fleets, towns like Whitby and Scarborough now see far fewer trawlers setting sail. However, with the post-Brexit control of our waters, there is a fantastic potential (hopelessly missed by the last Consocialist government) to revive our fishing industry and see a return to queues at the fishmongers in Whitby’s market square longer than the ice cream parlour on a hot summer’s day.

Nationally, the UK fishing industry contributed £4.7 billion to the economy in 2019, employing over 33,000 people​(Tax Foundation).  But, we can do much, much better. Fishing is big business. Take Iceland, for example which relies on fishing for a massive 11% of its GDP​. But for North Yorkshire’s coast, this is not just an economic statistic—fishing is also a lifeline for communities that have relied on the North Sea for centuries. With a renewed focus on sustainable practices, we could see Whitby’s trawlers bringing home not just fish, but prosperity.

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A report by Seafish, a non-departmental public body in the UK, estimated that the UK’s seafood industry contributed £4.7 billion to the economy in 2019 and supported over 33,000 jobs​(Tax Foundation).

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2. Boat-Building: A Craft Ready to Return to Yorkshire’s Shores

Shipbuilding—once the pride of British industry. The sight of beautifully crafted boats emerging from North Yorkshire’s harbours is is no longer a regular occurrence, but it doesn’t have to be like this forever. Scarborough, for example, has a proud history of boat-building that could be revived in a modern, eco-friendly context. And there’s real money in it: the global market for electric and hybrid boats is expected to hit £19 billion by 2030 ​(Tax Foundation). Why shouldn’t Yorkshire lead the charge, transforming shipyards in towns like Staithes and Filey into cutting-edge hubs for building the eco-friendly vessels of tomorrow?

And let’s be honest, there’s something wonderfully ironic about solving Britain’s economic woes with boats while the Labour and Consocialist politicians in Westminster sink the ship. By turning Yorkshire’s boat-building legacy into an engine of economic regeneration, we won’t just be setting sail—we’ll be leading the fleet.

3. Seafaring: The Heartbeat of North Yorkshire’s Coastal Towns

For centuries, seafaring has been in North Yorkshire’s blood. Towns like Robin Hood’s Bay, with its smugglers’ coves and salty legends, remind us of a time when the sea wasn’t just a source of livelihood—it was a way of life. In a global economy where the maritime sector is worth £3.5 trillion​ (Brookings), the UK is currently underperforming, contributing only 2.1% to maritime trade. This is a seafaring nation—it is a travesty that our politicians let this happen.

But here’s where North Yorkshire can lead. By investing in maritime training programs, we could see young people from Scarborough to Saltburn embarking on careers that take them around the world, captaining British ships on seas that, let’s face it, we once ruled. The UK Maritime Foundation’s 2020 report shows that investing in maritime jobs could bring huge economic returns​ (Brookings). And who better to represent the next generation of sailors than the hardy folk of Yorkshire?

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4. Coastal Regeneration: Yorkshire’s Beaches Need More Than Ice Cream and Donkeys

While we all love the idea of a Yorkshire coastal holiday, or long Sunday afternoon walks spent dodging seagulls, eating fish and chips, and watching the tide roll in, the region’s coastlines could offer so much more. With over 11,000 miles of UK coastline, much of which includes iconic North Yorkshire landmarks, we’re sitting on a tourism goldmine. But it’s not just about buckets and spades or seaside towns looking pretty—coastal regeneration creates jobs, boosts local economies, and makes for happier, healthier communities.

In Whitby alone, investment in the harbours and fishing infrastructure could draw not just visitors, but businesses. Imagine the bustling streets filled with tourists snapping up locally caught fish. Seaside towns could be transformed. Research from the University of Exeter shows that every £1 invested in coastal regeneration returns up to £8​ (Brookings). With towns like Scarborough, Bridlington, and Filey leading the way, Yorkshire’s coastlines could once again be the pride of the country.

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5. Eco-Friendly Approaches: Balancing Green Innovations With Economic Regeneration

I would welcome green technologies and innovation which can demonstrate economic viability.  In reviving the UK’s seafaring industry there is indeed an opportunity to leverage ‘green’ technologies. North Yorkshire’s coastline offers the perfect starting point for testing innovative approaches to sustainable fishing, ocean-cleaning technologies, and offshore wind farms. Norway has shown that sustainable fisheries can be a booming business, generating $12 billion in exports annually (Brookings). North Yorkshire, with its abundant natural resources and centuries of maritime history, could become the leader in eco-friendly seafaring solutions.

Imagine the future: Whitby harbour bustling with hybrid-electric boats, fishermen using sustainable nets that ensure Yorkshire fish stocks for generations to come, and offshore wind farms powering not just the coast but all of Britain. It’s an eco-friendly vision that could regenerate our coastline and ensure that it remains as iconic as the Abbey on the hill.

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Conclusion: Yorkshire’s Coast Calls

The regeneration of the UK’s fishing, boat-building, and seafaring industries isn’t just a whimsical return to a bygone era; it’s an economic and environmental necessity. For North Yorkshire’s coastline, from the smuggler’s hideaways of Robin Hood’s Bay to the bustling harbour of Scarborough, this revival offers a chance to reclaim its heritage while building a sustainable future.

By investing in these industries, we would be creating jobs, encouraging innovation, and providing fresh, sustainable food for our tables. Let’s hoist the sails, dust off the fishing nets, and reignite Britain’s maritime spirit. With North Yorkshire leading the charge, the sea isn’t just calling—it’s offering prosperity, adventure, and fish and chips to boot.

The Conservatives are the ones who gave up our fishing rights in the first place, and did nothing to capitalise on the opportunities of Brexit.  Labour have already made clear in their Autumn Budget 2024 that they despise small-business owners, burying them in more tax.

Reform UK must form the next UK government and commit itself to creating the necessary conditions to attract significant private direct investment to our coastlines, that will ignite the national economic renewal the country badly needs.

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References

Seafish (2019). “Economic Contribution of the UK Seafood Industry.” Seafish, United Kingdom. Available at: Seafish Website

Tax Foundation (2019). “Economic Contributions and Potential of the UK Fishing Industry.” Tax Foundation. United Kingdom. Available at: Tax Foundation Website

The UK Maritime Foundation (2020). “Maritime Careers: Economic Impact and Opportunities.” UK Maritime Foundation. Available at: UK Maritime Foundation

University of Exeter (2020). “The Impact of Coastal Regeneration on Local Economies.” University of Exeter Research Reports. Available at: University of Exeter

Brookings Institution. “Global Maritime Economy and the UK’s Place in International Trade.” Brookings Institution, Washington, DC. Available at: Brookings Website

Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries (2023). “Sustainable Fishing and Economic Growth in Norway.” Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries. Available at: Norway’s Fisheries Portal

MarketWatch (2024). “Electric and Hybrid Boats Market Projections.” MarketWatch. Available at: MarketWatch

Reform UK Party (2024). “Reform UK’s Position on Revitalizing Coastal Industries Post-Brexit.” Reform UK Policy Documents. Available at: Reform UK Website

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