Around 1800, the mackerel fishery in the English Channel reached its peak, with thousands of boats from ports like Plymouth, Brixham, and Hastings pursuing the seasonal runs of this oily fish. The mackerel fishery was a vital part of the local economy, providing food for the growing urban populations and raw material for the burgeoning fish processing industry. The fishery also supported a network of related trades, including boat building, net making, and fish curing. The abundance of mackerel in the Channel during this period was legendary.

The mackerel fishery is a recurring theme in the poetry and songs of the Devon and Cornwall coasts, with ballads celebrating the skill and bravery of the fishermen. The fishery also appears in the works of Romantic poets, who were drawn to the dramatic scenes of the Channel and the lives of its fishing communities. The mackerel became a symbol of the sea's generosity and the precariousness of the fishermen's lives.