Filey's Fishtive Tree

December 7. 2018

The Filey Fishtive Tree has returned to Filey once more after it's successful debut last year. Hundreds of people turned up to see Sir Garry Verity switch on the lights of the unusual tree made from crab and lobster pots on the Coble Landing. The tree is some 25-30 foot high and takes local fisherman and residents 2-3 days to construct. As well as providing a beautiful sight on the seafront the tree also raises funds for local groups. Donations made in 2017 alone have supported the building of this years tree as well as providing a donation of £500 each to four local youth groups.

The idea for the tree came from a Filey resident who had seen a similar creel tree when visiting Ullapool in Scotland, she brought the idea to the Filey Tourism Association and a small group formed to take on the project. The group contacted local fisherman Rex Harrison who persuaded the Fishermen of Filey and the coble landing businesses to make this idea a reality. The tree is a very fitting way of remembering Filey's traditional fishing heritage and it also raises awareness of the current issues in relation to fishing industry licenses. For generations the North Yorskshire Coast has been home to vibrant fishing communities however Filey is down to just seven small-scale boats. Filey's fishermen of today inherited their licenses from their fathers and want to pass them down to their own children and grandchildren however the proposed regulations from the Environment Agency would drastically reduce fishing opportunities for local fishermen right along the North Yorkshire Coast and eventually the licenses would be removed entirely. For more information and to sign the Fishermen of Filey's petition please follow this link.

The tree will be here until the New Year and is well worth a visit.