Simon Bywater fishes for crab and lobster on a 19ft vessel from East Runton, Norfolk. From starting in the family business to turning his hand to training, Simon is at the heart of fishing life across the East coast and beyond.
“I have been fishing for 41 years,” shared Simon, “ever since I left school in 1984. I am one of five brothers, and three were already at sea with their own boats when I first started going out with them. I have always been a hands-on person; I loved repairing and fixing things so I was eager to learn the trade. I bought my first boat, the Jade Sue (named after my daughter and wife) from my brother Peter.
“One of the best things about fishing is being in control of your own success. The early morning sunrises, hauling pots and just being at peace along with the gulls – nothing beats it. You feel great when you haul in a good catch of crab and lobsters. Some days it’s slow and you just have to think positively when that happens. We have had some poor seasons recently but you just have to keep faith.
“2021/2022 was actually my best year! Covid kicked off and by the end of the week I was having phone calls from people asking me to sell my catch online. I was processing my own and selling 40 crabs, then 300, then 500, then 800! Prices went up and I sold some to merchants across Norfolk and then London. I still do this one to two days a week with my brothers but cut down to spend more time with my family.”
Simon is now also Chief Executive of REAF CIC, Renaissance of the East Anglian Fisheries Community Interest Company, a growing membership organisation that represents the interests of the fisheries and seafood sector in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. He is also a Seafish ‘Approved Training Provider & instructor’ at Eastern Seafish Training Association, travelling from Norfolk to the North East to train fishermen across the UK.
“I first went on an amateur radio course in 2005,” said Simon. “The instructor then asked me to help with delivering the training in Norwich. I taught the radio courses at weekends voluntarily and within a few years was made the lead instructor. I now teach a wide range of safety courses for fishermen including Sea Survival, First Aid, Safety Awareness and Firefighting. I teach around 300 fishermen each year!”
“You hear tales of people going overboard after a rope has caught round their foot. Many cut themselves free but don’t wear a lifejacket – they are lucky to have got back. Most fishermen don’t change their mind on the dangers of MOB until you go on one of the training courses. Even the best swimmers can’t stay up long.
“My brother’s boat, with 2 on board, sank in May 1981 – they had one life ring and a spare buoy and were picked up by the lifeboat 40 minutes later in the late stages of hypothermia. They were very lucky.
“My advice for anyone to prevent MOB would be to think what could go wrong when shooting pots and take preventative actions. Do risk assessments, separate ropes, have a knife on you, know what to do if you go over and always wear a life jacket with PLB.
When Simon isn’t busy training, he facilitates discussions between fishermen and offshore wind developments as part of his work at North Norfolk Fishermen’s Society. He also promotes fishing careers in local schools, supports the regeneration of East Anglian Fisheries to policymakers in Government, and of course, works in the family business! Find out more about REAF CIC here.
