A West Bay fisherman has been recognised for all his work in the fishing industry, a career that has spanned more than 60 years.

David Sales has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to commercial fishing and the marine environment in Lyme Bay in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

It was quite a surprise to me to have this award," said David, who fished for lobsters and crabs. "I'm more or less retired from fishing because I am 83 and I have had a long time at it.

"I'm very proud to have been awarded this award and very humbled by it, it's an award for all of us in the fishing industry at West Bay, they all had a hand in it in some way or the other, it was just me that got picked out.

"It's nice to know that we have had some recognition for the fishing industry, we tend to get overlooked, especially bearing in mind we're all small boats down here.

"It's not a thing that happens to you every day of the week."

Mr Sales, who has worked with Lyme Bay Fisheries and Conservation Reserve, has said he has always been a part of conservation and was the chairman of the local fisherman's association for around 30 years.

He added: "I have got seven grandchildren, what's the world going to be like for them and their grandchildren. I think we have to look very seriously at the future and what we're doing to ensure there is a future."

As well as this, he was also awarded the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Travelling Fellowship award in 1968, a programme of overseas research grants. David travelled to the New England states of the USA and the maritime provinces of Canada for eight weeks to study the lobster fishing industry.

He was introduced to new ways of measuring lobsters to ensure regulations were met. He brought the carapace measure - the length from the eye socket to the back of the head, rather than from head to tail - a much more exact way of measuring to prevent overfishing to the UK. It took him more than two years to convince the Ministry to adopt this idea nationally.

David said: "That was a great success and you will find it everywhere around the British Isles, although there was a lot of resistance to start with, it was a great success story for the lobsters and it was one of the saving graces for the lobster industry of that time.

"I have always been quite pleased of that – we've done something towards the future."

He has been a part of the fishing industry for more than 60 years, 40 of those were in West Bay. His wife started her own restaurant, Marsh Barn Restaurant, and she used to sell their own lobsters and crabs and fish from other local fishermen.

However, he says that the fishing industry has 'changed considerably'.

He said: "I started more or less as an apprentice and built up from nothing.

"Like everything else it has got much bigger and more sophisticated, better gear and engines, the size of the boats. The technology has evolved over the years, for instance, in 1959, we had a boat with one of the first echo sounders on it [used to determine the depth of water by transmitting sound] and now everybody has navigators and this, that and the other. When I first went fishing you were exactly intune with nature, you had a compass and watch and that was probably the limit of what you would have.

"We have got to the point in time now where we have got too clever for ourselves."

Mr Sales praised the small community of fishermen at West Bay, 'a pretty good lot who all help each other along the way'. He also said that the industry, especially in West Bay, didn't fair too badly during the pandemic.

He added: "Everybody has had to adapt and readapt to the circumstances and people started selling their own and that has been successful because we have very good markets in Plymouth and they have a system of picking up fish, coming down to Weymouth, Poole and go on to the markets at Plymouth and Brixham. That's worked well and the price of fish has held up very well, much better than we thought it would. There is just as much a market for lobster than there always has and the price has been very good.

"By and large, although fishermen are very good at grumbling - always have been - if you're sensible you can and do make a living."

PRAISE FOR COMMUNITY STALWARTS

Also, to be recognised on the Queen's Birthday Honours list is Tony Greenham who was awarded a BEM for services to the community of Beaminster and the Royal British Legion (RBL).

He has been a member of the local branch of the RBL for 40 years and, with his wife Margaret - who was named honorary townsperson in 2014 - has organised the annual Fairey Band brass concert. It is the first time in 42 years the concert has not gone ahead.

They have raised more than £50,000 through the concerts for various charities, which Mr Greenham said he would give up when he reached the age of 80, but his love for the event has meant he has continued to organise it.

Mr Greenham said: "It was a complete shock. Without help over the years I couldn't have raised that money – I'm thrilled to bits.

"Anything I have been involved with has been a joint effort with Margaret."

Aaron Sparks, the First Wessex supervisor responsible for Bridport and Weymouth services has also received a BEM.

During the pandemic, Aaron Sparks was 'instrumental' in ensuring transport services continued for key workers, especially those working at Dorset County Hospital.

Aaron said: "When I received a letter saying I would be on the Queen's Birthday Honours list, it didn't really sink in because it is so exceptional; I don't know anyone who's received an honour. I am really chuffed about it, but the credit for this award really goes to everyone at First Wessex. The response to the pandemic is a team effort and everyone worked their socks off to make sure services kept running to help those who really needed them."