Teach a Man to Fish

Is it possible to make a living from fishing?

Simply. Sustainably. Under sail. 

Well Si and Cat are in the process of finding out. 

Our friend Jack dropped me an email this morning telling me all about his pal, Simon. He has recently returned from sailing around Europe with his wife, Cat, in their beautiful yacht. I think that should read, in their yacht with his beautiful wife.

Photo courtesy of Teach a Man to Fish 

In September 2009 Simon and Cat set sail from Percuil on their boat the Heard 28 Planet.

Before they left, Simon was working at Falmouth Marine School as a CAD and boat building lecturer. Cat was studying for an MA in creative writing and working as a Spanish tutor. 

They both left with mixed feelings about coming back to the same jobs and lifestyles. They realised that any plans about their future would be made whilst they were on their journey. 

The result is that they have decided to build a boat and become fishermen.  

Photo courtesy of Teach a Man to Fish

Their aim is to set up a small business running from the village of Portscatho on the south coast of Cornwall - catching fish under sail and oar and selling it locally. 

Over the next few weeks and months Simon and Cat will be designing and building their boat while trying to find out and learn as much as possible about fish and fishing.

They're on a mission to untangle the legislation surrounding un-powered (i.e. propelled by sail and/or oar only) commercial fishing and research sustainable and responsible fishing methods that really work. 

They're documenting the whole process through their blog 'Teach a Man to Fish'.  Be sure to pop over for the full story. 

Their story reminded me of something I came across a while back. Si and Cat, I think you will like this one. 

'A businessman was at the pier of the small Cornish harbour when a boat with a fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were fish. The businessman complimented the Cornish man on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The fisherman replied: 'Only a little while'.

The businessman then asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish? The Cornish man said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. The businessman then asked, 'but what do you do with the rest of your time?' The Cornish fisherman said, 'I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a nap with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitars with my friends; I have a full and busy life.'

Portcatho: Photo courtesy of Paul Warrington 

The businessman scoffed, "I am a London Business School MBA and I could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats; eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. You could sell directly to the processor and eventually open your own cannery. You would need to leave this small fishing village and move to Vigo, Spain where you would run your expanding enterprise.'

The Cornish fisherman asked, 'But how long will this all take?' To which the businessman replied, '15 to 20 years.' 'But what then, sir?' The businessman laughed and said, 'That's the best part! When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and make millions, flying around on your own corporate jet!' 'Millions, sir? Then what?' The businessman said, 'Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing island where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a nap with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your friends.'

The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, 'Isn't that what I'm doing right now?'

(Story adapted from Hearblack).

We'll keep you updated on the progress of Si and Cat's adventure.