Biography of Michaela

Michaela is part of the all women team selling fish at The Rye Fishmarket in Simmonds Quay.

“Us being in the shop we are in…when the customers come in we have an edge…a lot of fishmongers are men….”

She comes from a family whose fishing history goes back hundreds of years in Hastings. (Benton & Adams families). Michaela used to go out on her dad’s boat as a child from Hastings beach. She wanted to work in the fish huts to sell her own fish but a limited amount of licences given.

“This generation who are fishing off Hastings beach now will be the last”

Michaela married Ben Griffin, also a local fisherman, and they had their first son at 17. She struggled as a young Mum at 21 with more 3 children. Three are still at school, her older son also works in fishing now. Michaela worked as a carer to help with household bills and she and her husband brought their boat over to Rye as it promises a sustainable fishing industry here for the future. 

"Weather has been terrible this year... a bad year for fishing (2022). But our new boat is now registered." This is a lengthy costly process. "It takes a real certain type of person to handle all these challenges"

The Griffins love being part of the fishing industry despite the hard work and low wages which make it difficult for them to move to increasingly high priced housing in Rye. Years ago there used to be tied housing for fishermen and their families but this government no longer supports it and the waiting list for a Council House at this time of writing is 12 years. Travelling everyday from where the family live in Hastings is expensive. The Griffins are looking for private affordable accommodation in Rye now for their family to be nearer where they work and their childrens schools. 

Audio of interview with Michaela