The move in 1997 from a secure job working on a Purbeck farm to setting up his own full-time fishing business - at the whim of wind, waves and weather - was a decisive event in Jeff's life.
Of course, he had had a boat of his own for many years, and had fished since childhood. He had also learned how to make his own fishing gear and pots - his father still makes the traditional withy pots.
Jeff summarises what fishing means to him: " I am working all the time outdoors in a healthy environment, and always look forward to the changes that come with each different season. Over the years I have picked up a great deal of local knowledge about where and when to fish. I might almost say that I now know the sea better than I know the land."
Swanage nowadays has a mere
half dozen fishing boats, of which Jeff's is the only one operating throughout
the year. The boat works within a five mile radius
of Swanage, its catch ever changing as the year progresses.
Jeff fishes mainly for shellfish: lobsters, crabs, prawns and whelks.
And whilst he has no trouble in selling all of these creatures, he remains mystified by the attraction of one of them. As he so appropriately remarks: "Whelks just don't float my boat."
Jeff also brings in seasonal fish including mackerel - a fish unbeatable in taste when freshly caught - bass and pollock.
Only part of Jeff's haul is sold locally, specially selected for its quality. The remainder is sold to the wholesale trade, its main destination being the London restaurant trade, and some going even to Spain.
Jeff takes great pride in his ability to provide food - healthy food - for himself and his family. In our cosseted, risk-averse western society he and his fellow fishermen now count among the very last examples of that archetypal figure, the hunter-gatherer.
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