Early in the Scottish summer, the traditional herring trade starts to flourish. Shoals move from Shetland in the north towards Great Yarmouth in southern England. Fleets of Scottish fishing boats follow the shoals south and haul in their catch. From 1860 onwards, these journeys were further mirrored on land by the ‘herring lassies’ – thousands of Scottish, Irish and English fisherwomen. These pioneering women not only managed pre-harvest work, household chores, childbearing, raising and caregiving, as well as carrying their men out to the fishing boats to ensure they went to sea in dry comfortable clothing. They also travelled over a thousand kilometers every year to expertly gut, pack and sell the freshly caught herring along Britain’s coastline. Photographer Craig Easton’s book, Fisherwomen – Portfolio Edition, explores this long tradition and celebrates the fisherwomen who sustain it. In December 2020, ICSF connected with Craig to talk about his wonderful book.