Photographs that celebrate the fishermen and boat restorers keeping the North East's maritime heritage alive

In his moving series, On the Turn of the Tide, he takes a closer look at the people who are helping to keep the region's maritime heritage alive, despite the difficulties they face.

"The passage of time has brought about change to fishing and the boats used by the fishermen on the North East coast," Luck explains. "Catch restrictions and grants encouraging the decommissioning of boats have resulted in the fishing fleets of many towns being reduced in size. Despite this decline, many are still carrying on the fishing tradition. Potting for lobsters is the mainstay for fishermen these days."

According to Luck, the 'coble', a traditional open fishing boat, was developed on the North East coast. Distinctive in its shape, it's flat-bottomed and high-bowed to cope with the conditions that are common along the coast. But the demand for these wooden-built boats has declined as fibreglass is now the material of choice for building modern fishing boats.

He adds: "The traditional skills of building wooden boats are also in decline. Dedicated volunteers at the North East Maritime Trust undertake the restoration and reconstruction of historic boats. Through the conservation of these historic vessels, it is hoped that these traditional skills can be kept alive."

Through his photographs, Mark Luck aims to celebrate the fishermen and boat restorers who are keeping the region's maritime heritage alive. Discover more at markluckphoto.com.