It goes without saying that wherever there is a harbour there is a fishing fleet; none more so than at Whitehaven and history indicates that a fishing fleet of modest proportions was established here during the formative years of the harbour in the seventeenth century.

Today the fishing industry is Whitehaven Harbours single most important source of revenue. The fleet of some two hundred vessels coming and going is continuing to expand, especially in the over 20 meter LOA category, this coupled with a noticeable increase in visiting fishing vessel's from other Irish sea based ports landing their catches and servicing gives comfort to the commissioners for the on-going success of the investment.

"Designated Port" status was granted by the D E T R Fisheries Division in 2001. Benefiting from a £2.1m M A F F grant to enhance facilities for the fishing industry the four-phase project is now complete. The first being the construction and commissioning of an automated ice production plant with a capacity of 40 tonnes activated by a swipe card system.

The second phase being the systematic dredging of North Harbour to accommodate deeper draughted fishing vessels. The third stage, now complete, is the construction of a fish-handling hall to the highest E U standards.

Finally a 90.000 litre re-fuelling facility, capable of delivering 300 litres per minute, is situated in the North Harbour, specifically to fuel fishing vessels.

North Harbour therefore, is totally dedicated to the fishing industry, entered by turning hard a' port on passing through the Sealock, this area of 4.5 Acres is encompassed by four main quays: North Wall for the replenishment of ice, West Wall upon which re-fuelling distribution stations are sited and the spur of Bulwark Quay, not yet developed, but will act as lay-by berthing.

Agents currently handle fish landings, their sale and distribution: at this stage a market is not envisaged.

The commissioners are confident that the greater tidal window enjoyed following the installation of the Sealock in 1998 and the ability to handle replenish and service fishing vessels will encourage ever increasing number to use Whitehaven when fishing in the northern sector of the Irish Sea.