out in Mounts Bay, the Seafox 7 gas platform, is anchored up waiting to continue her journey from Poole to the Irish Sea...
or maybe she has been drilling for oil in the bay as there is not much water left in Newlyn Harbour this morning?!
The blog provided a granular, day-by-day account of harbour life in Newlyn, in 2025 it published close to 300 distinct entries over the course of the year. This archive acts as a critical dataset for understanding the modern intersection of traditional maritime labour and the digital economy.
Here are some examples of the year's posts.
A major theme in early 2025 was the strategic campaign to promote Cornish spurdog as a sustainable food source. By rebranding the species as "Cornish Rock Salmon," the blog documented a collaborative effort between fishermen, processors, and fish friers to reduce market reliance on pressured stocks like cod and haddock.
The blog highlighted the fleet's rapid adoption of new technologies, such as the innovative fish pumps on the vessel Inter-Nos. These pumps represent a shift toward automation by allowing for gentler catch handling and reducing the heavy physical labour previously required to move fish from boat to quay.
Research into Automatic Identification System (AIS) data mapping was a recurring technical focus. The blog explored using this high-resolution data to define and defend high-value fishing grounds against the "spatial squeeze" caused by offshore renewable energy projects and new marine regulations.
The blog recorded the ongoing evolution of the Newlyn Fish Market as it shifted from traditional "shout auctions" to online bidding platforms. This makes the blog’s photography and daily reports an even more vital visual record, as the physical spectacle of the auction has largely moved to digital screens.
The 2025 narrative was heavily shaped by meteorological volatility, frequently documenting periods where "the weather wins". Notable entries recorded the impact of extreme conditions, such as Storm Eowyn and waves exceeding 40 feet off Land’s End, which dictated fleet movements and market prices.
.jpeg)
The blog tracked significant changes in marine biology, such as the normalization of bluefin tuna as a regular feature of the morning market. It also detailed the seasonal biological cycles of species like sardines, noting how shifts in fat content after spawning fundamentally alter their market value.
Many posts were used to disseminate critical information regarding post-Brexit legislation and the Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (TECA). The blog provided a space for industry leaders to address the "poison" of divisive external campaigns and the challenges of managing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
A central mission of the blog is to "break the disconnect" between the work performed at sea and the food on a consumer's plate. This was achieved through documenting culinary collaborations, such as the Cornish Sardine Festival, and featuring the work of sustainable seafood advocates like local chefs Bruce Rennie at The Shore, Ben Tunnicliffe at The Tolcarne Inn and Angus Powell at Argoe.
The blog frames modern fishing as a continuation of Newlyn’s historical and artistic heritage. By blending reports on industrial realities with photography and art reviews—referencing the Newlyn School of painters—it preserved the social history and "four-dimensional" nature of the community. Heritage England funded work to bring the Old Quay back into use also neared completion by the end of the year.
On Tuesday, 16 December 2025, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee convened for its final session before the Christmas recess. Chaired by Mr. Alistair Carmichael, the session provided a platform for a deep dive into the complexities of the UK’s marine environment, funding, and the delicate relationship between the government and the fishing industry.
The witness panel featured Dame Angela Eagle MP, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, supported by DEFRA officials Gareth Baynham-Hughes and Mike Dowell. The discussion ranged from the "spatial squeeze" of our oceans to the controversial role of international scientific advice in setting quotas.
A recurring theme throughout the session was the perceived disconnect between Whitehall and the frontline of the fishing industry. Committee members highlighted feedback from fishers in Brixham, who described engagement with DEFRA as "remote and one-sided."
In response, Dame Angela Eagle defended the government’s approach, citing "integrated co-operation" with devolved nations and the constant presence of the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) at ports. While Gareth Baynham-Hughes noted that strategic engagement is primarily funneled through representative organizations, the Chair challenged this, arguing that direct contact with processors and exporters is essential for understanding how policies—such as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)—actually function on the ground.
As the race for offshore energy intensifies, the Minister acknowledged a "genuine spatial squeeze" in UK waters. The competition for sea space between fishing fleets, energy infrastructure, and military requirements has reached a tipping point.
"The Minister expressed receptiveness toward developing a 'sea use framework' to coordinate these competing interests, emphasizing her legal duty under the Fisheries Act 2020 to ensure both sustainability and the economic viability of the fleet."
Perhaps the most contentious segment of the session focused on the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Industry figures have long argued that ICES advice is often outdated by the time it reaches the water.
The Cod Controversy: The Chair expressed frustration over ICES's initial recommendation for a total closure of North Sea cod—an option based on a "12-month recovery" window that the Committee deemed socioeconomically catastrophic.
The Outcome: Mike Dowell clarified that the zero-catch advice was merely one option. Following negotiations with the EU and Norway, a 44–48% cut was agreed upon instead.
Minister Eagle maintained that while she acknowledges fishers' frustrations, the government is obligated to act on the "best available science" provided by ICES to maintain sustainable stocks, even if the resulting compromises "please nobody."
The Committee also explored the shifting ecology of UK waters, noting a "huge bloom" in cuttlefish and octopus driven by rising sea temperatures.
| Topic | Key Takeaway |
| Domestic Consumption | The Minister noted that while the government cannot force consumers away from traditional white fish, it supports initiatives to encourage "adventurous" eating habits. |
| Seafish Levy | A planned levy increase was halted before the Minister took office, a joint decision that has since reduced Seafish’s operational capacity. |
| Coastal Growth Fund | The Minister signaled strong support for using this fund to create inshore opportunities and reserve quotas for young fishers through apprenticeship schemes. |
The session concluded with a focus on technical measures in UK waters. Despite criticism from fishers regarding the speed of implementation without consultation, Dame Angela Eagle defended the measures as necessary under the Trade and Co-operation Agreement to protect zero-catch species.
As the Committee adjourned for the holidays, the overarching message was clear: the path to a sustainable and profitable fishing industry requires balancing rigid scientific mandates with the lived experience of those on the quayside. The EFRA Committee will resume its work on 6 January 2026, beginning with an evidence session on South East Water.
The EFRA committee recently launched a survey to gather priorities for the new year. Running until 16 January, you can respond here.