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Tuesday 16 September 2014

Today on the Humber - Final Conference North Sea Fish

Study on the implementation of Axis 4 of the European Fisheries Fund MARE/2011/01

FLAG funding has seen a number of successful projects funded in Newlyn. 

Over £1.8 million of European Fisheries Fund (EFF) money has been committed to support the sustainable development of fishing communities in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly. Funding has been made available from the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) and DEFRA through the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), and is managed locally by Cornwall Development Company (CDC). It has been used by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) to maximise available private investment to build a sustainable future for local fisheries communities. 

 The FLAG area extends along the entire Cornish and Isles of Scilly coast, plus approximately 1 mile inland. The fund has been available for projects to bid into for investment up to a maximum of 100% of total project costs, depending on the project activity and proposed outcomes. The decision making board has comprised of representation from the local community including fishing, private, public and voluntary sector organisations. 

The FLAG has funded projects that will contribute to one or more of the following key themes: 


  • Developing sustainable supply chains and market development 
  • Providing infrastructure and communal facilities for fishing communities and cooperatives 
  • Capacity building, cooperative development and networking 
  • Training, retention and recruitment including diversification 
  • Coastal communities, tourism and economic development 
  • Advocacy and engagement for fishermen 
  • Regional sustainable management engagement 

For further information:

Contact Chris for further information on 01736 364324 email Chris.Ranford@cornwallrcc.org.uk or pop in to Seafood Cornwall Training for an informal chat with Chris. 


An executive summary of the entire project has been published which says:

In the 2007-2013 programming period, the European Fisheries Fund included a specific priority axis for the implementation of the Sustainable Development of Fisheries Areas (Axis 4). The rationale behind this specific priority axis was that EFF support for the development of fisheries areas should be part of an integrated local approach centered on a relevant territorial strategy and adapted to the local situation. The design and implementation of Axis 4 would be as decentralised as possible using a bottom-up approach helping local partnerships to tackle the short term effects of the Common Fisheries Policy and of the economic, social and environmental impacts of the depletion of fish stocks. Its purpose has also been to help fishing communities and areas create new sustainable sources of income and quality living.

Factors for success The study did not evaluate the success of individual FLAGs but did draw some conclusions on factors that determine the general success or failure of different FLAGs:

 Involvement of the (fisheries) community The involvement of the fisheries sector and other local actors in the community is key to the success of FLAGs. The bottom-up approach of Axis 4 requires an active community that is willing to develop projects fitting local needs. There is considerable potential for more quality projects if the skills and knowledge among local stakeholders is improved by further capacity building.

Previous local development experience Previous local development experience has proven to be a valuable asset as it helps FLAGs to have a clear view on local needs and expectations. It also offers the possibility to use an already established network in the community.

 Capacity of the FLAG staff

The capacity of the FLAG staff to engage the community in local development activities is critical in order to generate project ideas and high quality project proposals. This capacity can only be guaranteed with the right number of staff availing to good personal skills and high expertise. However, the time currently spent on administrative duties averages 31%, leaving little time to push for new projects and offer guidance and support.

 Effective and legitimised FLAG operations

Efficient and transparent selection procedures and criteria are critical for the success of FLAGs and can be used to avoid conflicts of interest in the evaluation of projects.

Project implementation:

 MAs should give FLAGs a formal role in monitoring the progress of projects, using clear guidelines and indicators.

 MAs should simplify the payment process and shorten the payment delay. FLAGs should facilitate payments by the provision of guidance and support to beneficiaries in meeting the financial requirements.

 MAs should make pre-financing available and pay beneficiaries in several stages if needed. The FLAGs should take step to help beneficiaries attract private funding.

Executive summary in full available here:

Monday 15 September 2014

Monday's market


Bound away before dawn...



seems squid in short supply today...



with only two beam trawler's up for auction...



heads or tails?...



boxed monk tails stacked two high from the Cornishman...



keep the buyers happy...



after prices bounce over big tides and scuffly easterly winds which prevented many of the inshore boats from fishing over the last few days...



the heavy cloud looks foreboding though...



as the Girl Pamela takes on more more nets...



not so for the Crystal Sea II as she put one of her trawls ashore for mending...



after ripping out the belly section...



the beast that is...



the Cornishman's clean and clear deck all set for her next trip...



the Admiral that is...



Tom keeps watch...



over the Bay as the sun attempts to put in an appearance...



while a few handliners fish over a shoal of mackerel just off Battery Rocks by the Gear Pole at first light...



alongside the cruise ship Bremen at anchor.

Sunday 14 September 2014

Busted net, paint to be painted, holes to be filled and a shout for the lifeboat - a normalish sort of day for Newlyn


A belly section of trawl lost at sea ends up washed on the beach...


slap on the zinc paint...


three heads are better than one when it comes to mending sardine nets


and there's a few fathoms to mend yet...


which requires the utmost concentration from young Jack and old hand Jemimah under the watchful eye of skipper Dan...


Barry's autumnal maintenance schedule, on goes the the fibreglass matting and epoxy filler... 


one big french yacht, she will be amongst the last to visit Newlyn this season as the end of year gales are no doubt due to be ushered in at some time...


Ivan Ellen goes out on a shout...


to rescue the yacht Emerald Blue which was dismasted out in the middle of the Bay...


time to head for home after another successful mission is completed.

Sailing into the wind - how to tack as demonstrated by members of the Senior Service.




Classic sailing from a sailing boat - the sail training ship Endeavour tacks her way into a fresh easterly breeze from Land's End across Mount's Bay and then round the Lizard - not an easy sail with the traffic she encountered sailing one of the busiest shipping corners of the UK.  After sailing in virtually a straight line from the Irish Sea down to Land's End the crew certainly know they're sailing a wind powered boat and not a motor boat!

The boat is on the last leg of a voyage - The Arctic Express 2014 - that has seen her sail around Iceland and Greenland - they should have a great collection of photos from the trip!