With first light beginning to creep into the sky...
buyers online are busy bidding on the penultimate export market - much of Newlyn's fish is still exported to the EU, not quite the 90% it was for many years - so the last export market will be on Monday, after that it would not be possible to get the fish packed and delivered before the Christmas break...
despite the weather many small inshore boats managed to fish...
and picked up some big shots of bass...
as can be seen from this bumper day's work...
out of the inner fridge in the end chill room the beam trawler Cornishman also picked up a few big bass to boost their last trip settling sheets for the year...
with that many congers young Jimmy must have been working near some rough ground...
including this beast from the deep...
the James RH picked away a few boxes of ray...
both boats also landed their monk heads that the potters use for bait...
at the other end of the earning scale, Dover sole...
monk tails...
lemons...
plaice...
and brill all made excellent money as a nation that seems to have discovered a new taste for the very best fresh fish...
plenty of haddock to go round...
there also seem to be a few more red mullet than usual - a fish full of flavour for the festive season...
and mini-monk tails are just the sweetest when used as the base for a curry or equally spicy dish...
the last of the fish are forklifted aboard the waiting transport...
which then makes a hasty retreat to the delivery depots 'up-counry'...
at high water on a big tide...
the netting fleet are busy preparing for the next neap tide which starts between the Christmas break and New Year...
all ship-shape and Bristol fashion, yet another nautical term in everyday use...
both the ports newest big boats have landed their final trips for 2020.
