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| Inshore netters and trawlers now fill the inner harbour at Mevagissey. |
Mevagissey Harbour Office revealed this week that it achieved a gross fish landing of more than £2.15 million in the year up to April, a port record.
Mevagissey has the second largest value of fish landings in Cornwall. "Everyone else is in decline and we're bucking the trend and prospering. Everyone deserves a pat on the back; the fishermen and everyone," said Chris Gilbertson, from Mevagissey Harbour Office. "They are adapting to the changing fishing industry and doing well at it." Rob Preston, who runs Mevagissey Fishermen's Association, said: "I wouldn't like to say fishing is on the up, because it's never easy, but fish prices for the past couple of years have been quite good. "We are also bucking the trend in the fact that more boats are coming to the harbour now than other ports."
He added that it was good publicity for Mevagissey as the thriving fishing industry is an attraction to tourists.
Mevagissey is second only to Newlyn, which has a gross fish landing of about £19 million, according to Newlyn harbour master Andrew Munson. He said this equates to about 8,000 tonnes of fish. Newlyn used to be the biggest fishing port in England and Wales – but is now second to Brixham.
Looe harbour master, Jeff Penhaligon, said: "I can well believe Mevagissey is the second largest in Cornwall. They've got a major increase in fishing boats. I don't think people realise the employment value of fishing in Cornwall. "Fishing is a big industry for this little county and it has a bright future." Mevagissey Parish
Council chairman, Michael Roberts, said the good news is evidence the fishing port needs a longer jetty to cope with the swelling trade. An application for a jetty extension and an extra crane was submitted in October but was scuppered by an objection from the Environment Agency due to the loss of inter-tidal mudflat habitat. The harbour office has since re-submitted its original application.
Story courtesy of ThisisCornwall.
