National Fishing Remembrance Day is a day for reflection and commemoration of all those who have lost their lives while working in fishing in the UK.
It is an opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers of fishing as a profession to a wider audience and to remember those who have lost their lives at sea. For those living and working in local fishing communities it is hoped that this will become an annual focal point for remembrance and connection with the national fishing industry. This period of remembrance will also provide an opportunity to focus on initiatives aimed at improving safety in commercial fishing.
Statistically fishing is one of the most dangerous professions in the UK with 11,000 people working on fishing vessels in a harsh and unpredictable environment to bring ashore much needed seafood.
Many fishing harbours have suffered tragedies and this National Fishing Remembrance Day will recognise and honour the loss of life. It is important to manage those same risks today. Safety management systems and improvements to working practices are key to keeping people safe and families and communities together.
Join In & Get Involved
National Fishing Remembrance Day 2025
There are many events already planned for the 2nd National Fishing Remembrance Day on Sunday 11 May 2025 and a list will be published here soon.
Plan Your Own Event and Spread the Word
If you’d like to organise a service in your local fishing community, please let us know at fishingremembrance@theseafarerscharity.org so we can help publicise your event.
You can also download editable materials, including an A4 poster and social media assets, to invite others to your service. Help spread the word by using #NationalFishingRemembranceDay2025 on social media.
Explore Fishing Memorials
Discover the Royal Museums Greenwich map of fishing memorials here.
Prayers and Readings for National Fishing Remembrance Day
You may be interested in our Remembrance Pack to pay your respects in your own way. You can download copies of the Prayer and Hymn (Eternal Father) here.
Memorial Services
This list of services running across the country will continue to be updated as further details arrive. All details are subject to change until closer to the date.
England
Brixham – England main service
4pm (with rising tide) - Brixham Fish Market, Main Gate, Fish Quay, TQ5 8AW.
Boston
10am - Christ Church, Ogwen Terrace, Glanogwen, Bethesda, Bangor, LL57 3NL.
Bridlington
3pm -Bridlington Harbour, Gummers Wharf, Bridlington, Y011 1PD.
Fleetwood
11am - Memorial Park, Warrenhurst Rd, Fleetwood, FY7 7AE.
Grimsby
2pm - Grimsby Minster, Bethlehem Street, Grimsby, DN31 1EP.
Hull
“On this day representatives from Hull’s fishing and seafaring charities will be laying wreaths at the ‘City’s Memorial to the Lost Trawlermen of Hull’ on St Andrews Quay – a special place to remember all those men from Hull who have been lost to the sea. The Memorial site is always open so we extend a warm invitation to families, friends and anyone from the community or visitors to come and lay their own flowers at the Memorial or place flowers in the vases at any time during this day.”
Lowestoft
11:30am - St Margaret’s Church 147 Hollingsworth Road, Lowestoft, NR32 4BW.
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea
3pm - St Bartholomew's Church, 80 Front Street, NE64 6QD.
Newhaven
11:00am - Fishermen’s Memorial, West Beach, BN9 9HD.
Newlyn
11am - Man & Boy Memorial, The Promenade, SW Coast Path, Penzance, TR18 4HH.
North Shields
2pm - Fiddler’s Green Fishermen’s Memorial, Clifford’s Fort, North Shields Fish Quay, NE30 1JA.
Padstow
2pm - Social Club, The Lawns, Senders Hill, Padstow, PL28 8DT.
Poole
10am - Fishermen’s Memorial, West Poole Quay Road, Poole, BH15 1HZ.
Portsmouth
3pm - Wilhemina J Memorial, Camber - Inside Ben Ainslee Car Park
Scarborough
12pm - 18 West Pier, Scarborough, YO11 1PD.
Whitstable
12pm - Fishermen’s Memorial Bench (west of Whitstable Harbour), Whitstable, CT5 1AB.
Northern Ireland
Kilkeel – Northern Ireland Main Service
10am - Kilkeel Harbour, Kilkeel, Newry, BT34 4AX.
Ardglass
12pm - Friday 9 May, The Harbour Ardglass Co Down BT30 7TZ
Portagovie
3pm - Portavogie Harbour, Harbour Rd, Portavogie, Newtownards, BT22 1EA.
Guernsey and Jersey
Jersey
2:30pm - Albert Pier, Jersey, JE2 3NE
Scotland
Peterhead -Scotland Main Service
10am - Lido, South Road, Peterhead, AB42 2YD.
Fraserburgh
3pm - 27 Mid St, Cairnbulg, Fraserburgh, AB43 8WJ.
Kircudbright
2:30pm- Kirkcudbright Harbour, DG6 4HY
Kirkwall
12pm, Kirkwall Magnus Cathedral, Broad St, Kirkwall, KW15 1DH.
Lossiemouth
3pm, Lossiemouth Old Harbour.
Mallaig
11am, Mallaig Church of Scotland, Annie’s Brae, Mallaig, PH41 4QX.
Mussleburgh
3:30, Musselburgh Congregational Church, 6 Links St, Musselburgh, EH21 6JL.
Pittenweem
Marches to Fishermen’s Memorial, West End of Pittenweem Harbour, Pittenweem, KY10 2NL. Processions leaving from Cellardyke Town Green, KY10 3AW, at 1:30pm;
and from St Monans Harbour, KY10 2BA, at 1:45pm.
Shetland
11am, Lerwick Baptist Church, Quoys Road, Lerwick, ZE1 OWH.
Stranraer
11am, Stranraer Church of Scotland, Leswalt High Road, Stranraer, DG9 OHH
Wick
1pm - Wick Seafarer’s Memorial, Wick, KW1 5HF.
Wales
Bangor
10am - Christ Church, Ogwen Terrace, Glanogwen, Bethesda, LL57 3NL.
Milford Haven
3pm - The Rath Fishermans Memorial,9 The Rath, Milford Haven, SA73 3JR.
Isle of Man
11am - St Mary’s on the Harbour, Castletown, Isle of Man, IM9 1AS.
Prayer
Almighty and Everlasting God, we acknowledge that -
By your power, were the heavens and the earth established,
and the bounds of the seas set in their place.
At your command, were all the creatures of the deep brought
into being in their numerous varieties.
And in your wisdom, are we sustained and renewed
by the harvest that come from labours of those who go out to sea in their vessels.
Lord God, we give you thanks, for the work of all the charities who serve our fishermen and their families, today and for the past years. Reminding ourselves on this Remembrance Day of all who have served this nation in the fishing industry, and to keep alive the memories of all those whose lives have been given in its service to our communities.
Lord Jesus Christ, it is you who first appeared to the men by the shores of Galilee to
provide the miraculous catch, calling them each by name to commit their lives
to the care of all people.
We thank you, for all who continue in their love of families, communities, and the nation, that same care through personal sacrifice.
We pray for the families who grieve the loss of loved ones -
those who did not return safely to them, and especially for those for whom such loss is recent.
Spirit of Comfort, bring peace and healing to broken lives and hopes, and so comfort those who now live with the pain of past years. And remind us again, O Lord, of your love and care –
this day, and for years to come.
We now offer these prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus our Redeemer and Lord.
Amen.
The Fisherman’s Prayer, based on Psalm 23
The Lord is my pilot, I shall not drift,
He lighteth me across the dark waters,
He keepeth my log.
He guideth me by the star of holiness for His Name’s sake.
Yea, though I sail ‘mid the thunders and tempests of life,
I shall dread no danger, for Thou are near me.
Thy love and Thy care, they shelter me.
Thou preparest a harbour for me in the homeland of eternity.
Thou anointest the waves with oil; my ship rideth calmly.
Surely, sunlight and starlight shall favour me on the voyage I take,
and I will rest in the port of my God forever.
Amen.
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