Brett, Sharon and Ian Pearce will continue to run the successful Crab Cabin, but they have advised their other son, Jake, to get out of fishing and forge a career ashore. (Picture by Daniel Guerin, 0585928)
THE owner of the award-winning Crab Cabin has advised his two sons to get out of the fishing industry before it collapses.
Fisherman Ian Pearce, 49, has run the seafood shop with his wife Sharon, 45, for 17 years. His advice comes despite almost two decades of continuing success.
‘I have been at sea for more than 30 years and I have never seen a greater threat to our industry than these fuel prices. It has never been as bad as this,’ said Mr Pearce whose catch includes crabs, lobsters and crayfish. ‘If the oil price keeps going up, it will be the death of Guernsey fishing for sure. It could put everyone out of business.’
The couple’s popular business at Les Abreuveurs was nominated by Guernsey Press readers in the Food Heroes competition which celebrated local produce. The couple supply restaurants and hotels and Mr Pearce sells his catch in France and England.
Although the couple have no intention of closing their thriving business, this week their eldest son, Jake, 19, left working on his father’s boat for good.
‘I told him I didn’t feel there was a future in fishing for him and he has wisely gone to learn a trade onshore at Marine & General,’ he said.
‘If I had an alternative trade I would also stop fishing, but I am too set in my ways.’
The situation has worsened since French fishermen began protesting last week to demand fuel subsidies. They blocked ports to stop fish being taken into the country.
Mrs Pearce agreed that the difficulties caused by rising fuel prices were inescapable.
‘It’s a real Catch-22 situation because if the French fishermen carry on their blockades nobody can sell to them and if they do manage to negotiate fuel subsidies with their government then Guernseymen won’t be able to compete,’ she said.
‘Bait has also become more expensive because the trawlers need to pay for their fuel too.’
She thinks Guernsey could only hope to compete if the States mirrored any French government subsidies, but she doubts that will happen.
One of the saddest blows is that trade is going so well.
‘It is a particular shame that the industry is being crippled now because demand for local crab is actually at an all-time high.’
A rise in the number of celebrity chefs promoting crab dishes is thought to have sparked a UK-wide demand.
On a recent trip to Guernsey, TV food show presenters The Hairy Bikers sampled the shop’s wares. One proclaimed that if he were on death row, crab would feature on his final meal menu.
Crab is so popular, its appeal is wide-ranging, she said.
‘From the Governor and Bailiff to the little old girls and the farm boys down the road, it’s just a great Guernsey food. And if fishing goes then it will completely change the island’s lifestyle,’ added Mrs Pearce.
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