Small-scale fishermen fear quota review.

Two typical 'under tens' hand line mackerel men head for home.

FISHERMEN from across Penwith have reacted angrily to the news that small vessels may be subject to tighter regulations. Those fishing from boats less than ten metres long (known as under-tens) from Newlyn, Penberth, Sennen, Cape Cornwall and St Ives fear proposals to reform quota management could put them out of business.

Industry meetings have been held throughout the county, including a gathering in Newlyn on June 7, to hear the views of skippers of under-tens, and representatives of the inshore fleet also met recently with Andrew George, MP for St Ives and the Isles of Scilly, to express their worries.
The main cause for concern is the proposal for each fisherman to receive an allocation based on their track record from 2007 to 2009. But the lack of clear information on the reform by Defra and the Marine Management Organisation is frustrating many fishermen.

Jerry Percy, leader of the New Under-Ten Fishermen's Association, said: "There is clearly a legitimate fear in providing a positive response to something where you don't know the outcome and especially when it appears that you could end up being even worse off than at present." Mr George has waded into the debate, warning fisheries minister Richard Benyon that the proposals which are intended to protect smaller and traditional fishing ports and methods may do the reverse, as the new rules could see small-scale fishermen like mackerel or sea bass hand-liners competing with more powerful boats which happen to fall within the same bracket. Mr George said: "It is remarkable that fishermen who use these low-impact methods like hand-lining, long-lining or potting can still eke a living. Fish which are thrown back usually live on – hundreds of people can still make a living from the least destructive of all fishing methods. "Surely this is something which the Government should be learning from and encouraging, rather than threatening by over-policing and by imposing an inflexible quota system which really ought to be applied to international vessels operating at an industrial scale."

The fishermen have asked for an extension to the consultation deadline on the Government's reform proposals, which is due to close at the end of June. Mr George has asked to speak to the fisheries minister before the Government takes its policy any further.

article copyright THE CORNISHMAN

Commission to make three appointments this summer

THERE are 11 harbour commissioners, of which eight are appointed by the board, two appointed by Cornwall Council and one to be the harbour management representative. Three new appointments will be made in 2011.

Nominations are sought from stakeholders, harbour users and others for the position of Newlyn harbour commissioner to be appointed from July 2011 or as soon as possible thereafter, to serve for a three-year period in compliance with the Newlyn Harbour Revision Order 2010.  The position is without remuneration. At present, monthly board meetings are held, but the frequency of these meetings is likely to reduce in the coming months.

New appointments are made against a job description under a selection and interview process and will be in accordance with rules for public appointments.

Criteria:

Successful appointees are expected to have special knowledge or ability in one or more of the following fields: commerce, shipping, fishing and cargo handling, maritime activities, boating and leisure activities, health and safety, community issues, public/industrial relations, management, accountancy or financial management, environmental matters. On this occasion the board is particularly seeking to appoint persons with commercial licensed fishing boat-ownership experience, especially in a seagoing capacity, and from individuals who have a keen interest in the harbour and the local community.

Appointments will be made by Newlyn Harbour Commissioners.

Closing date for nominations is 9am on June 30. Selection and appointments will take place in July. Further details can be obtained from Andrew Munson, harbourmaster at the Harbour Office in Newlyn. Call 01736 362523 or e-mail andrewmunson@btconnect.com

article copyright THE CORNISHMAN

Sandy Cove development still on table despite storms.

Sandy Cove development still on table despite storms.

AMBITIOUS proposals for a boat maintenance yard in Newlyn are still on the table, despite recent upheavals within the harbour commission.

Commissioners announced plans in November to team up with MDL Marinas to build a large-scale multimillion-pound development at Sandy Cove. One of the chief proponents of the scheme was Juliet Taylor, who worked closely with the firm to develop outlines for boat storage, a chandlery and engineering works to support the fishing fleet, and strengthening works for the south pier in a quest to create dozens of new jobs. 

Fishy Friday finds fiercely fought over fish as prices rocket.

The harbour security office has an excellent view.......

out with the old - might be for sale........

flat calm this morning........

the Annabelle J, a classic Bristol Pilot boat is available for hire with skipper - based on the South coast...........

the boat is based in Hamble, built by the Appledore Shipyard in 1995 and designed by the Duchy Boatyard and fitted out by Bridgend Boat Co. Newton Ferrers, Devon.........

in a sea of black, the red ensign, first proclaimed in 1674 by Charles II to be flown by British merchant ships .........

seeing double.......

that's progress, a hunderd years ago they had donkeys to do the heavy work........

biggest cod on the market, this one had Paul's name on it from the Twilight III's four day trip........

at-ease Anthony........

plenty of keen bidding for the last few boxes on the market........

pause for a moment to ponder........

as the price of monk hits £23+ a kilo - that's around £138 a stone in old money!

Bugaled Breiz - new development.

The son of a French fisherman has accused a British nuclear submarine commander and Iraq war hero of killing his father and four colleagues by accidentally sinking their trawler during war games. Thierry Le Métayer lost his father Georges, a mechanic on the Bugaled-Breizh, when the boat mysteriously sank in good weather on January 15, 2004 off Lizard Point, near the most southerly point of the British mainland. 

Full story in the Daily Telegraph here.

Paying Tribute to Seafarers

What would happen if every ship on our seas suddenly vanished?


It’s International Day of the Seafarer this week (Saturday 25 June) which aims to pay tribute to the world’s 1.5 million seafarers. 


A survey carried out by Seafarers UK, the charity that supports seafarers and their families, today shows just how little we as a nation know about this industry. The majority of respondents weren’t aware that Sunderland (80%), Glasgow (75%) or Belfast (50%) were even seaports. And yet one in five incorrectly named Calais as a British seaport. Furthermore, when asked how far they live from the coast, a fifth of adults estimated they were 76 miles or more away from the sea, even though there is no part of Britain that is further than 70 miles from the coast. 


That’s possibly the reason why 80% of people have not been on the sea as a passenger on a ship or boat for over a year, with over a quarter saying they haven’t set sail for more than 10 years. We also massively underestimated the dangers that fishermen face at work, with less than one in 10 adults correctly identifying it as the most dangerous career in the UK. And we clearly aren’t passing on our maritime history to our children either with a quarter of children in the survey naming Captain Jack Sparrow as Britain’s most famous seaman. 


To mark the campaign, a thought-provoking video has been commissioned by Seafarers UK. It paints the nightmare scenario of what would happen if every ship suddenly disappeared and highlights just how important seafarers are.

TSC report on the proposed Coastguard cuts.

Today sees the publication of the TSC's (Transport Select Committee) findings on the revised re-organisation of HMC - the service that maintains a watch on the shipping lanes and traffic off coastline UK.  Initially, the consultation document contained proposals that would see Falmouth lose its 24/7 operational coverage and Brixham close altogether in accordance with the Government's desire to centralise the CG service by using technology to replace the need for regional stations.


First of today's reports from the BBC.


BBC news - Plea from Milford Haven - home of giant oil tanker terminal.