SOME HERRING HISTORY

Great Yarmouth, as reported by the BBC, was the location of Europe's largest fleet of herring fisherman with some 1000 ships at its peak in the late 19th and early 20th century. Large numbers of English and Scottish fisherman were based there. It is estimated that 10,000 men plus another 5,000 "fisher girls" were employed. The "fisher girls" processed the fish after unloading. A top flight processor could gut over 30 herring in a minute.

source: The BBC  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/norfolk/8449318.stm