Fishermen from Ceredigion and Gwynedd say that “times are getting tougher” in the industry but that there is “no better job” as they share their true-life experiences for a film which will premiere later this month.

Meet the Fishermen introduces a handful of Welsh fishermen and explores their contribution to the Welsh seafood economy - past and present.

The short film aims to present a candid account, from the fishermen’s perspective, of an industry and way of life which many feel is under pressure.

Fishermen featured in the film include Dean Parry from Aberystwyth, whose family have been involved in the fishing industry for 150 years – as fishermen and fishmongers - but who fears he may be the last in that illustrious line.

His catch predominantly goes abroad, mainly to Europe, but increasingly to Asia.

“I fish for that one day a year when you leave the harbour at 7am in the morning, the sea is like glass and there is no better job,” he said.

Lobster fisherman Brett Garner has been fishing for lobster and crab out of Hell’s Mouth on the Llyn Peninsula for 30 years – but times are getting tougher.

“We’re just working harder and harder to make less and less money,” he said.

“I think we are getting close to being the last generation.”

Currently, there are 450 registered vessels in Wales, of which 380 are small boats under 10 metres long.

Some launch from ports and harbours, others from beaches and rugged slipways – each with their challenges and opportunities.

“The film is an introduction to the lives of Welsh fishermen,” Carol Evans of the Welsh Fisherman’s Association, which is currently running an awareness campaign entitled Sea Our Future – Support Welsh Fishermen, said.

“If our small scale, mainly inshore, fishing fleet is to survive we must together try to reintroduce our fishing and aquaculture sectors to the general public appealing to them for support for what is after all one of Wales’ primary food producers restoring the general perception of the sea with fishing and food production.”

See this week’s Cambrian News for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now