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Tuesday 14 August 2007

Swan convention hits town!

Some slight damage to the Ben Loyal's starboard tuna pole need sorting.
Two sets of electric jigs grace the quarters.Who would believe over 100 yachts have pulled out of this yar's Fastnet race looking at this?!
Numbers are increasing for the annual swan convention down in the harbour.

Passionate about fishmongering!

Today, the 'Passionate about Fish' team are running the fishmongering course. Call Sarah for more details.These yellow wellies do the talking..
HG Wells lives on, one of his most famous character now works on the market it seems!
The Cornishman is about to move to a quay berth.....
out go two bow ropes.....
as the Cornish Lass plays tugboat.Recording data yellow wellies.
New exhibition at Badcock's Gallery, Mick Tracey and Tony Snowden in a show titled 'Tales of the Unexpected'.

Monday 13 August 2007

Are you Passionate about Fish?

Ahead of tonight's forecast gale, Newlyn's market is bustling with boats and there are more netters due.
Crabber Pen Glas lands to the vivier wagon.
Not normally fashion conscious our Falmouth fishermen - but here, matching van and boots - too cool!
Porbeagles figured on the market from the netters this Monday morning.
Along with the less common Parrot Fish.Before starting their fish filleting training these students were given a guided tour of the market. Andrew Pascoe, (line caught bass boat 3 the Cynthia) shows off the finer points of his weekend's catch.

The Ajax's porbeagle collection waiting for the auctioneer to turn up.
More bass, this time stone bass from the Gary M - Timmy Boyle's crew also spotted a swordfish this trip!
New! fish filleting course starts - before their day's training commences proper, the filleting students get a session on hygiene and preparation down at the Cornwall Fisheries Resource Centre - here, star trainer and 8 times Fishmonger of the Year award, Duncan Lucas from 'Passionate about Fish' demonstrates the recommended way to sharpen on a steel.Now its down to the real thing - here a mackerel gets the treatment - despite Duncan's comment that the fish were, 'almost too fresh'!
How to skin a Pollack fillet - safely.
CFRC's Sarah Henshall, having organised what is hoped to be the first of ongoing training sessions also opted to take part in the course herself! Big thanks for local fish merchant
Robin Turner for hosting the event and providing the fish, which included line caught pollack, bass, ring net sardines, megrim (Torbay) and lemon soles - all from under 10m boats.

Sunday 12 August 2007

On Newlyn Green

Gill- Netters, Girl Patrica and Ajax are back from this neap tide's trip to land on Monday's market - reports of slack fishing for the tide.Over on Newlyn Green fun for all the family is about to begin as a heat for the South West's regional street entertainers competition gets under way - bar and stage a sure draw in this part of the world!
....view of the 'big top' from the bar.......just as the first act gets on stage.

Pirates of Penzance

Nonchalant yellow wellies
7.30 am - someone had a good night!
Pirates Chris & Jeremy sail off to plunder the Pits in the Bay.
Varnish always looks good.

Friday 10 August 2007

Dusky waters

View through a beam trawl as the crew go through the gear checking for damage and replacing worn shackles and links that make up the chain mat.
Resurgam on her way in with the Anglian Princess in the background.

Work continues to cut up the EA Webster.The Pride of Cornwall heads out for a night's sardine fishing......
as the Huers under, Tom Pascoe, makes her way in.
Almost low water on the Stone Quay steps.

Thursday 9 August 2007

Twenty years on....

Taken over twenty years ago on the Smalls prawning ground SW of Milford Haven. Brixham beam trawler the Linquenda has just hauled her Australian style twin rigged prawn gear. From memory she worked two 20 fathom IC prawn trawls towed directly off 4 metre long wooden doors. As with the other prawners in the South West, getting a stable market organised for langoustine proved far more difficult than catching them!
Today, on the quayside in Penzance wet dock, Plymouth based beam trawler Admiral Gordon is busy setting her trial twin-rigging gear. This time round the doors are steel and she will target quality white fish, not prawns.
View of the doors suspended from the end of the starboard derrick.
Out in the bay, the Sea Cloud II has dropped anchor for a visit......while, a few metres, just off the prom....the old man aboard there would not have been best pleased should he have picked up this piece of flotsam in his prop - what seems to be an entire beam trawl cod-end - she would have stopped dead!