(I am copying this from the local paper)
Hundreds of former fishermen are to receive compensation payouts they feared they would never see, the Mail can reveal today.In a major government rethink,about 1,300 trawlermen who lost their jobs as a result of the cod wars of the 1970's and were previously denied compensation have been told they will be able to claim compensation after all.
The men who fished the Atlantic waters near Iceland, had been refused any payoutsbecause they went on fishing trips after a cut-off point of 1979.But in a government u turn they have been told they are entitled to the money.
When Dennis Smart heard he would finally be entitled to compensation tears trickled down his face.Nine months ago he recieved a letter telling him his application had been rejected because he went on mackerel trips after the 1979 cut off.After nearly 40 years of service in dangerous icy waters, a few trips to earn a bit of extra cash seemed to have cost him thousands.But now Mr Smart (68) should be able to live out his final years with a smile on his face thanks to Patricia Hewitts decision to give him the right to a payout after all."It's brought a tear to my eye" said Mr Smart who lives with his wife Brenda in sheltered accomodation in the centre of Hull.Mr Smart is one of 1,300 men affected by todays news of the governments decision to revoke the 1979 rule.He worked on the trawlers for almost 40 years spending up to 16 weeks at a time in the treacherous, icy enviroment of the Arctic.

Copyright Hull & Grimsby Newspapers Ltd 2001
During the 1970's Hull was one of the busiest fishing ports in Europe, at that time saftey & conditions were not as good as they are today, many fishermen from Hull were lost at sea when their ships sank.My uncle was made disabled in an accident at sea.Almost everybody in Hull knows somebody who has been to sea, it is good to hear that the fishermen have finally got there compensation.The ship owners were paid 30 Million UK pounds at the time.Up until today many fishermen becsuse they were classed as casual labour had recieved nothing.