Lady Maureen is in the harbour.

Closer to home, the Brixham beamer Lady Maureen has just entered the harbour and looks to be taking a berth on the end of the New Quay to land.

Good reception for VesselTracker's AIS.

Clear skies and a Northerly breeze constitute ideal reception conditions for AIS signals in the Western Approaches.

Top tide.

Despite little wind there's a heavy swell in the Bay at the top of the big equinoxial tide.........

and big monks don't come much bigger than this guy, from a sandy bottom judging by his light skin colour......

somehow, the market appears to have lost one of its up and over doors, just as well no one was underneath at the time.......

good morning light for the camera.........

evicence of more damage on harbour property.......

smoko time.........

plenty of trade for the FalFish wagons to pick up........

latest show at the Newlyn Orion Gallery, Roger Hilton Passmore Edwards Centennial and Jack Doherty ceramics to view.........

top o' the tide.........

some shiny new kit on the Cornish Ice Company's machine........

end of the bloomin' daffs is nigh........

tiz messy down the quay thsi morning, Royden will not be pleased with the gull population........

cow in the road........

cockerel in the sky.......

and a visitor from Padstow, the Fiona Mary........

the Scillonian is now out and about ready for the new Summer season sailings to Scily.

Tickets please!

More good news! - funding for the Under 16.5m skipper's ticket - which effectively means that every boat over 10m must be at sea under the command of a qualified skipper - has been extended till the end of June now.


See Seafood Cornwall Training Ltd for more information or speak to Sarah crosbie on 44 (0) 1736 364324 

Kessenuma - life blood drained out of the shark fin fishing capital of Japan.

Decimated by the tsunami that struck the North east coast of japan, Kessenuma, the port reckoned to priviode over 90% of shark fins for up-market restaurants in Japan, will take years to return to its former 'glory' - if ever.

This article appreared in the Guardian only a few weeks ago following the interest in fishing exclusively for sharks solely for the purpose of keeping their fins was highlightd by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's FishFight series on Channel 4.

Today, the port looks like this with dozens of ships, mainly fishing boats left high and dry in what was the town centre.

Photo coutresy of AP.

Get your skipper's ticket funded before it's too late!

The old style 'Second Hand Special' skipper's ticket for vessels over  16.5m but under 30m - good for going as mate on over 30m and the Long Range Certificate for radio telephony.

Funding for Cornish fisherman to complete courses toward the proposed “Under 16.5m Skipper’s Ticket” free of charge, has been extended through to May 2011. 

The MCA have advised that in the future, it will be a requirement for all skippers of commercial fishing vessels under 16.5m  to hold the new ticket, therefore fishermen should be encouraged to take advantage of the funding while it lasts. More detailed information covering all aspects of certification can be found on the MCA web site here.

The funding had been scheduled to come to an end at 31^st March, but there are sufficient funds available to continue to offer courses in Cornwall free of charge until May.
In order to qualify for the funding, candidates must have completed their basic training courses consisting of Sea Survival, First Aid, Fire Fighting and Safety Awareness.

Fishermen are advised to contact Seafood Cornwall Training in Newlyn (Seafish Approved Training Provider) for more information and to book on course dates.

Contact: 01736 364324

Web: www.seafoodcornwalltraining.co.uk

Scallops and pollacks - a couple of firsts for the year.

Beach greening.......

with cash-strapped local authorities these days it doesn't pay to get spotted by the incredibly zealous foot patrol........

man the pumps.........

with a fine forecast the St Adrianne takes ice.......

watched by a few hungry gulls.......

before heading down the harbour and off to sea, though the next few days will mean taking extra care when trawling as the biggest tide of the year approaches........

superb shot of monk from the flagship Cornishman.......

accompanied by a good shot of Dory from across the water.......

back on the lines, the Sea Spray gets her first shot of line caught pollack on the market, though pickings were a trifle slack........

three tubs apiece for the beamers, looks like supplies of black gold are fast coming to an end.......

Mr Tonkin and M Downing take stock of the latest trip from the Golden Harvest........

inside the meat wagon (spot the hooks in the roof of the trailer) hands reach out to grab the bags of new season scallops coming ashore.......

from the Philomena, one the TN Trawlers' fleet of big scallop boats.........

after landing those shiny pollack, its time for skipper Dave and new crew member to get scrubbed down.