For centuries Manxmen relied on herring for a major part of their diet. Supplemented by oat or barley cakes and, more recently, by potatoes, herring have long sustained the Island's people. Locals refer to their early 'Spuds and herring' economy and fishermen call them the King of the Sea or Ree ny Marrey in Manx Gaelic.

Throughout the nineteenth century, red herrings, unsplit but smoked for longer, were exported to England and often fed the slaves of the West Indian plantation owners. Salted or 'white' herring were Russian and German delicacies. Today, however, herring in the form of Kippers reach the corners of the globe.

See Manx National Heritage for more information on manx sea fishing. Click on the photos to enlarge.