Eyemouth skipper champions next generation after vessel restoration
A skipper from Eyemouth who rebuilt his own fishing vessel from a £1 shell is championing opportunities for young people to enter the industry as part of a new campaign showcasing coastal voices.
Jack Grieve features in the newly launched Pride in the Seas 2 exhibition, which is a national initiative spearheaded by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) to showcase the people behind Scotland’s fishing sector
The 22-year-old runs the Janreen with a two-person crew – a vessel he painstakingly restored over two-and-a-half years, learning everything as he went.
He said: “I got her for a pound. She was just a shell, no gear, no electrics, just an engine and a radio. I spent two-and-a-half years fixing her up, learning everything as I went.”
His path into fishing was untraditional, with no family ties to the industry beyond his grandfather who worked for a local fish merchant.
Jack said: “He’d take me along when I was about 11 or 12, picking up prawns from the boats at night. That’s when the interest started.”
Running a single-handed operation presents some unique challenges, particularly when it comes to finding crew willing to commit to the demanding nature of the work.
After finishing school and fast-tracking through several seafish safety courses, Jack joined a fleet in 2018. A few years later, he became a skipper.
Today, the Janreen lands into Eyemouth, with catch sold and processed locally before being exported across Europe.
Jack added: “I’m intent on getting more young people into fishing and helping them, and the next generation, to have the opportunities that I had at 15.
“As an example, we’ve previously had two young lads who helped out on the Janreen part time – they’re now both full-time fishermen on local boats, having self-funded their required certifications. It’s really encouraging to see their passion for the industry.”
Elspeth Macdonald, SFF chief executive, said: “Jack’s story is extraordinary. The Pride in the Seas 2 campaign aims to bring those working in our industry to the forefront.”
The full exhibition and the case studies are now available to view online at www.sff.co.uk/news