THE second Sunday of May is National Fishing Remembrance Day, and this year’s event will be marked by services around Cornwall and the UK on Sunday, May 10.

The national focal service for England will take place in Newlyn from 11am on the green beside the Newlyn Fisherman Statue (TR18 5PP), or at St Peter’s Church in case of wet weather. All are welcome to join in this act of remembrance, with refreshments after the service.

Kate MacArthur, Fishermen’s Mission’s area manager for Cornwall, said: “The Fishermen’s Mission has proudly served active and former fishermen and their families for over 145 years, and it is our privilege to lead this service.

“National Fishing Remembrance Day is an opportunity for the community in Cornwall to honour and remember fishermen lost at sea off the Cornish coast - those who paid the ultimate price in bringing home the catch.”

Mark Greet, chair of the Fishermen’s Mission board of trustees, will be in attendance. “There is a strong partnership between the charities and agencies that support fishing in Cornwall and, once again, we have come together to conduct this important day of remembrance,” he said.

“As an island nation, fishing is an important part of our history and culture, which we both celebrate and commemorate. For our fishing communities, it’s important the dangers of fishing are recognised alongside the risks inherent in bringing in the catch. We hope to reach out to those families to assure them their loss has not been forgotten.

At Padstow Social Club, Fisherman’s Friends musician and fisherman Jason Nicholas will take part in an afternoon of music and song to raise funds for the charity. The event from 2pm will unite local musicians and singing groups, many of whom are fishermen themselves. Their performances reflect a community where music and fishing have gone hand in hand for centuries, offering comfort, solidarity and a shared voice in times of loss.

“Music’s always been part of fishing life here,” said Jason. “When you lose friends or family to the sea, singing’s one way of remembering them. It brings people together, and that really matters in a community like Padstow.”

A short remembrance service will pay tribute and give space for families, friends and the wider community to remember lost loved ones together. A hog roast will be available on the day, alongside a raffle featuring great prizes generously donated by local businesses, organisations and individuals.

Founded in 1881, The Fishermen’s Mission supports active and former fishermen and their dependents, providing vital services including support with mental and physical wellbeing, bereavement and financial issues. These are delivered by just 29 port staff, supported by 13 head office staff and seven fundraisers.

Last year the “FishMish” supported 2,916 clients with 15,000 interactions via home visits, phone calls, emails, WhatsApp and text messages. The charity is funded by voluntary donations which last year totalled £3,782,622.

National Fishing Remembrance Day is a partnership between the Fishermen’s Mission, The Seafarers’ Charity, Stella Maris, Seafish and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.