A MOVING tribute to those who gave their lives to the fishing industry was held in Milford Haven on Saturday (September 27).

A crowd gathered by the memorial statue on the Rath, to remember those who were involved, either at sea or on land, in the town’s fishing heritage.

Conducting the service, Father Harri Williams led prayers and hymns, and was accompanied by Milford Haven Town Band.

Speaking before he laid a memorial wreath, Mayor Cllr Eric Harries said he was privileged to be born and nurtured in Milford Haven, and was “very conscious of the magnificent contribution that fishermen made to the prosperity of Milford Haven and the area”.

“I can well imagine all those wives and mothers standing here, awaiting the return of their loved ones from the sea,” he said.

Among those paying tribute was local sculptor Bryan Hackett, who designed and built the bronze memorial that looks out over the waterway.

Depicting a fisherman struggling with his net, it was unveiled on September 27, 1992 – 104 years after the first trawler Sybil came into Milford Haven.

Taking around a year to make, it was a real labour of love for Mr Hackett, who himself worked in the local smokehouse and ice factory when he was younger.

“It was a job from the heart; I loved working on it," he said. “It’s become an icon of Milford Haven."

"Fishing was the making of this town, and this tribute isn't just to the past, it's for all fishermen, both then and now."