Final post from Sprat aboard the Julie of Ladram fishing in the western English channel.

Mike Smith, aka Sprat has been keeping us posted as to his thoughts while fishing during the Coronavirus pandemic. Of great concern for fishermen aboard these big trawlers is, "Will there be sufficient buyers on the market to buy their fish?"

How the fish auction at Guilvenec is coping with COROVID19

Photo of Le Guilvenec courtesy of Beatrice le Grand Archives.

This Wednesday, March 25, 2020, eleven boats returned to sea after a few days of almost total stoppage due to measures linked to the Covid-19 epidemic. All of their fishing has found takers.

"These are small contributions but it is leaving!" " Gregory Pennarun, director of the auction of Guilvinec, and commented on the sale, which took place this Wednesday, 25 March 2020. Eleven of the thirty coastal guilviniste the flotilla set sail, and all of their fishing was sold to a very correct price. The fishmongers Pont-l'Abbistes and Guimpéroises in particular were present, as well as a few retail chains. So there will be fish on the stalls this Thursday, March 26. The number of coastal sailors has increased since Monday. Fifteen of them could set sail by the weekend.

In Saint-Guénolé, supplies were more limited, but prices recovered. Note that, as part of the fight against the spread of Covid-19, some sailors were able to check their temperature using a medical laser thermometer before boarding. The results were recorded on registers.

Full story from Ouest-France - translated by Google.

COVID19 at sea - Julie of Ladram update from Sprat - "we will be heading for Brixham later today" - David on the Crystal sea also heading in to land.

Mike Smith aka Sprat aboard the Julie of Ladram sends his final message from the wheelhouse during last night...

as, later today, they head for Brixham to land after which he will stay ashore to be with his family for a few trips off...

meanwhile, David, skipper of the Crystal Sea, also posted a video shot during the night of them hauling, emptying the cod-end and shooting away their twin trawls...

before heading back to Newlyn...

 to land later today, they will sell again at high-water this evening.

Latest COVID19 news from Seafish.

Seafish priorities in the midst of coronavirus

Our CEO Marcus Coleman explains what Seafish is doing right now to support the UK seafood industry in the wake of the situation caused by coronavirus.

There’s absolutely no doubt that COVID-19 is having a huge impact across the world. Our role is always to give the UK seafood industry the support it needs to thrive so, against this new challenge, we’re working hard to support businesses across the seafood sector. Here’s an overview of our key areas of focus at in this time of adversity.

Understanding the full impact on the UK seafood sector

We’re asking businesses throughout the seafood supply chain to let us know how they’re being affected and how they’re responding. We’re logging and reviewing information as quickly as we can and regularly updating the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive. The more information we receive the better informed they will be, so I’d encourage you to share information with us if you can.

You can get in touch with anybody at Seafish or email seafish@seafish.co.uk. All information provided will be treated confidentially.

Maintaining seafood supply

Seafood, in common with the entire food industry, is facing twin challenges of high consumer demand in the UK and disrupted supply chains. Most food service operations have closed and many export markets are not currently accessible, so we are working with businesses across the supply chain to find other markets for seafood landed into the UK. 

We’re currently developing guidance to help fishermen and fish merchants to use quayside sales, fish boxes and fish vans to sell their product locally, and possibly even nationally. We are also making promotional material available to support this.

We are working with government and processors to encourage large retailers to use more fresh fish in retail supply chains. Processors face unprecedented demand for product. They need to be able to be flexible, for example, quickly altering supply lines to process available species to ensure business continuity.  

Promoting seafood to the consumer

We’re currently supporting #SeaForYourself - a new marketing campaign which aims to get more UK consumers to eat more seafood caught in UK waters. Seafood businesses can download campaign resources and images from the Seafish Asset Bank to support their own marketing. Find out more about #SeaForYourself.

Alongside this we will also highlight to consumers how they can buy fish, such as from fish vans, fishmongers, quayside sales, fish boxes and fish and chip shops. We’ll also offer guidance and support on buying, cooking and eating species that consumers might not be as familiar or confident with. 

Assessing the longer term impacts 

Our fundamental objective is to ensure that the fabric of the UK seafood industry remains intact, so that when the emergency situation passes the sector can recover. As the picture becomes clearer we will assess the impact on the UK catching and processing sectors so we can report on the level of disruption caused, using case studies to show exactly what is happening to businesses and the people working in these sectors.

Support and advice for seafood businesses

A range of unprecedented measures have been announced by the government, but with new announcements almost daily it’s difficult for businesses and individuals to know exactly what help they are eligible for. 

It’s essential that the entire seafood supply chain knows what support is on offer and how to access it, so we’re providing information about available financial support and other forms of help and advice. 

Keeping you updated

Finally, we want to keep you up to date. Keep checking our webpages, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn and make sure you sign up to receive our email alerts.

Today's news from the Julie of Ladram at sea.

Wednesday morning and all is well aboard the Julie of Ladram - Sprat gives us an update on a gloriously sunny start to the day. They are due to land on Thursday - but things could change!




Earlier today, BBC Farming programme's Rachel Lovell spoke first to Barry Young from BTA and then Paul Dyer who is the boat manager for Waterdance's fleet of boats which includes the Julie of Ladram. To get a feel for the national picture the report then turned to Barry Deas from the NFFO.

COROVID19 at sea - Sprat tells us how it is from the wheelhouse of the Julie of Ladram.

Technical issues to do with getting Tuesday's video from ship-to-shore prevented Sprat from updating us with this yesterday. This is the second update from the wheelhouse of the Julie of Ladram currently fishing in the western English Channel with his thoughts on life ashore for others and his from being out at sea - along with many other boats.