Fishing had always been a risky business and accidents were common, but with the added pressure of debt, the crew often took dangerous risks to stay out at sea. There were two major fishing disasters, Gloup (North Yell) in 1881 and Delting  (North Mainland) in 1900. Many fishermen died, devastating the coastal communities.

This, combined with the upcoming herring fishery of the 1880s and the Crofters’ Act, which meant that landlords could no longer compel people to fish, signalled the end of haaf fishing.