If you thought your job is tough, watch this. I think this series is a truly remarkable and fascinating insight into human endurance and bravery.

The series follows a number of fishing (should I say trawling?) boats operating in the North Sea. After setting off you understand the unpredictable industry they work in: the weather of course but more so finding the right place to drop the nets. You witness the competition between boats, the rigours of fishing, the good catches and the bad catches. But most of all you admire the endeavour, tolerance and resilience of the men working on the boats, especially when catches are poor and their hard work isn't rewarded.

The stark reality of working on such boats is clear: time away from family, hard physical labour for hours on end; and at times, precious little sleep. It is a credit to all who work on the boats that they can remain upbeat and tolerate such physical and mental duress. OK perhaps the cameras made them more cheerful, but if I had had just 2 hours sleep and worked for 12 hours catching and gutting fish, it would take more than a BBC cameraman to cheer me up! 

Later in the series, the boats land their catch and the crew look on eagerly as the unfathomable fish sellers get the best price they can. And it is great to see one skipper living it up in a swish restaurant enjoying his own catch! 

Next time you can't sleep because a neighbour has got on their washing machine, or you feel tired at work because you've been (like me) sitting at your desk for six hours; spare a thought for The Trawlermen who sleep and work so much less and more. And if you get the chance, watch this series in awe.

Documentary series about a group of trawler fishermen in Scotland.

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By what name was Trawlermen (2006) officially released in Canada in English?

Trawlermen

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