Until the development of tourism, fishing was Hastings' major industry. The
fishing fleet, based at the Stade, remains Europe's largest beach-launched
fishing fleet and has recently won accreditation for its sustainable methods.
The fleet has been based on the same beach, below the cliffs at Hastings, for
at least 400, possibly 600, years. Its longevity is attributed to the prolific
fishing ground of Rye Bay nearby. Hastings fishing vessels are registered at
Rye, and thus bear the letters "RX" (
Rye,Susse
X).
There are now various industrial estates
that lie
