Sorry No Shrimps: The Shrimpers of Southport 

Growing up in Southport in the 80’s one couldn‘t help being aware of these large, strange, boxy machines that sat in an enclosure at the entrance to the vast sandy beach. Occasionally one would witness these hulking rickety looking beasts travelling out far into the distance to seek out the shrimps in the shallow waters. 

As I got older I became more interested in history and how I could incorporate this into my personal work, and so I embarked upon a project which looked at the history of the shrimping industry in Southport; it turns out that this industry has been steadily declining since I was a boy due to the silting up of the estuary and economic factors.  

I went wandering and found various ageing folk who had been shrimp fisherman in the heyday; often shrimping during the season and working other jobs the rest of the time. They were beholden to no-one (except their wives). They often had small holdings and were largely self-sufficient. They had strong women in their lives who sat around the table ‘shilling’ the shrimps before being cooked up and potted. Often the women were the bosses. 

Now there are remnants of what was once a thriving cottage industry and the heart of a community. Living museums for those that can go and find them; the sign from a pub called ‘The Shrimper’ in someone’s utility room, beautifully crafted homemade nets hanging from shed ceilings, and Shrimp ‘Rigs’ decorating back yards.