Minnows into seadogs: inside England’s new fishing apprenticeship

A recruiting crisis in the fishing industry has inspired a pioneering new initiative in south Devon

Alfie Steer has chosen a different path to his friends. While they are studying for exams and filling out university application forms, the 17-year-old is setting his alarm for 2.50am and heading out to sea. By 5am, he is hauling crabs from the decks of his father, Alan's, trawler.

Yes it's rough and wet - and rolly in winter - but I love it," he says with a grin. I'm the only one out of my friendship group who has a full-time job. That's a good feeling. I get a wage, and it's a job I might do for the rest of my life."