The Rise and Fall of Spratting

 

1923 – 1938 Brightlingsea was the centre of the sprat trade.

In 1911 45% of the total East coast catch was landed at Brightlingsea, in the 1920s and 1930s 80% was landed here.

The turning point could have been the pickling process that started shortly after the 1914 – 18 war.

In the industry’s heyday several local firms were pickling 8000 bushels a day, then exporting them to Poland, Germany, Russia and Scandinavia.

Local merchants included Tabor, Musson, Day, White, Eagle and Minter.

In the 1930s trade declined, finally ceasing in the 1950s when the North Sea was finally exhausted of fish.