Episode 2

The trawler Reliance is halfway through a fishing trip off the Shetland Isles when skipper John Clarke spots a broken rope that could lead to the boat losing its net. The crew fix the problem and put out the nets again, but they are hit by a rogue wave which rips a two-tonne metal bar off the top of the boat. While John and the crew are clearing up from the accident, the boat's main hydraulic pipe breaks, leaving the boat unable to pull in its fishing gear. If it can't be fixed, they'll have to cut the net free.

In the remote Norwegian sector of the North Sea, the pair trawler Rosebloom and its sister ship the Boy John are hunting for hake. A Norwegian coastguard boat announces that officers are on the way to board and inspect the Rosebloom. Skipper Sandy is worried by the visit from the 'fish police' as they have far reaching powers including heavy fines, impounding the boat and even arresting the skipper. It's a nervous wait for Sandy while the coastguard carries out a thorough inspection.

Back on land, fish buyer Jason Jack is on the floor of his family's factory, trying to make sure that the fish he's bought get processed and packed up in time to be loaded onto lorries that will take it to customers across the UK and Europe. Jason reveals how the factory caters for tastes in different countries - such as cutting out hake tongues, which are a delicacy in France.