#FishyFriday, say no more!

Mizzle 'n mist, a very #FishyFriday to one and all...

with three beam trawlers and the whitefish from one of the visiting Scottish prawn trawlers on the market this morning...

the market was pretty full...

with big quantities of monk tails...

and a few boxes from the prawn boat who land their monk whole...

a morning's work from Cefas, otoliths all set to go to the lab for ageing...

these 6+ kilo hake will be well into their 10th year or more...

bleaching of another sort, a turbot with the topside of the fish as white as the belly in part...

haddock are no doubt a familiar sight to the prawn trawler Replenish...

every now and then the beamers touch on good witch fishing...

to go with their big ray catches...

though it looks like this year's extended cuttlefish season is now pretty much over...

its turbot from the Harvest Reaper which kept the buyers bidding...

big ling...

and at this time of year there are always good shots of lemons to be had if you can find them...

along with those chefs delights, tub gurnards...

two of the bigger players in the port side by side...

some neat paintwork on the St Georges...

the prawn trawler Replenish...

and the port's latest arrival...

all set for a day shooting pots back after the winter break...

and time to take fuel...

sterns don't come much bigger than this in the port...

the port's newest netter is almost there...

while it looks like some TLC is needed for this punt...

on the slip, Twilight at dawn...

Crystal Sea looking resplendent even in this weather...

with the freshy weather of the last 24 hours, the good ship Irene berthed on the stone quay will have rocked and rolled her crew gently all night...

although there is still enough sea running to give the smaller boats an uncomfortable day out in the bay...

there's a connection between this house...

and this artwork...

terraces are particularly pleasant in the sun...

and enjoy some of the more sedentary views in the old harbour...

like the St Ives lugger Barnabus under canvas...

like the Ripple all set for some Spring time preparation for the summer sailing season...

always worth a look, the Helen Feiler Gallery is developing its own patina...

good to see Debbie continuing to promote community spirit and full of admiration for the healthy eating habits of her clientele...

work seems to be progressing at a faster pace in the Mission building with the 'return of the door' being the latest addition.

On HM birthday - the last time our Royal Navy was used to protect our fishermen - 1972.

In the days when it was considered worth sending in the Navy to protect, not board, our fleet.

Evening activity

Germany, Newhaven and now a stopover in Newlyn for the windfarm cat, Seacat Defender bound for Liverpool Bay...

as the prawn trawler, Shekinah lands her catch...

inside the Nereus.

Crystal Sea - SS118 - the latest addition to the fleet in Newlyn.

Crystal Sea - SS118 - the latest addition to the fleet in Newlyn.

The new Crystal Sea arrives in Newlyn.

A huge welcome to all those involved in bringing home the Steven's family's newest boat!

After leaving McDuff shipyard last Friday the latest Crystal Sea - rigged for twin-rig trawling...

has made it in through the gaps to join the Newlyn fleet...

 as the port's biggest trawler...

since the Dumnonia (ex-Traveller III) was working from the port back in the late 1980s...

the new Crystal Sea has the benefit of a 650hp main engine, although she passed down off Scarborough on Sunday afternoon...

it looks like she took longer than the St Ives lugger, Lloyd SS5, which made the homeward 600-mile voyage (Scarborough to St Ives) from Scarborough in 1905 in 50 hours  - those were the days of wooden ships and iron men!

Prawns on the market - summer must be coming!

It's all about quality this morning...

from these stunning ray...

to handsome hake for the Joy...

and the Ajax...

along with big hauls of big whitefish like these ling...

which gives Nathan plenty to tell the visiting buyers...

and show off top fish like these huge turbot...

and show off his Cat's Cradle skills...

at the same time...

and always a chance to catch a few shots...

it takes your back sometimes...

not many of these boys about with the handline boys...

white fish filled both ends of the market...

along with a good selection of monk tails...

more than enough to keep Gary busy logging the data...

ready and waiting for the arrival of the new Crystal Sea currently due to arrive in the port around 11am - watch her on the webcam live...

close up shot of the prawn trawls aboard the Nereus...

visiting lifeboat, St Davids...

the Real Mackay ready and waiting for the boys to land at 8am...

the Belgian beamer still has plenty of work to do on her gear...

brothers in arms...

as the visitors get the lowdown on fishing for sardines from Sam...

the harbour punt is back in operation after her enforced refit...

a  mizzen in the morning...

another refit...

and one still underway...

waiting for orders still...

as the sun comes up...

the prawn trawler Nereus...

and the beamer Marbi...

bound away...

a classic shot of the Irene

there are a dozen boxes of prawns up for auction...

in pristine condition...

graded by the count per kilo - 10-15...

15-20...

20-30...

30-40...

and then the tails.

Don’t be caught out by illegal fish supply chains

Looks fishy? Don't Risk It is the new MMO illegal fishing campaign.

Phil Haslam Director of Operations, at the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), discusses why it is bringing the issue of illegal fish supply chains to the table.

Buying fish through illegitimate sources damages the fishing industry, fish stocks and the long-term future of the marine environment. This is the message being delivered through our new Crimestoppers’ campaign.

We are working with the Angling Trust, the British Hospitality Association (BHA), the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO), Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) and fish and chip shops across the country via Seafish to encourage people to be vigilant about the sources of seafood they buy.

Under the Registration of Fish Buyers and Sellers Regulations 2005, (the RBS scheme) enforced by the MMO, you can buy small quantities of fish for your own personal consumption direct from a registered and licensed fishing vessel. Catch caught from recreational fishing activities cannot legally be sold and you should not buy this.

This is not simply a question of legality; we want people to be sure they are getting quality produce and the scheme also aids traceability of fish from the point it was brought ashore. Seafood with questionable provenance may not only have legal and environmental implications, it could also be of low quality.

Reputable suppliers take care to ensure the safety and quality of their products and should easily be able to provide information on their source. You should ask if in any doubt. The Fish Register website also provides a list and contact details of registered buyers and sellers of first-sale fish.

More information on the campaign and guidance on the purchasing of seafood is available from GOV.UK/MMO or by contacting the MMO on 0300 1231032.

If you suspect illegal activity you can report it to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. A cash award may be available.

Want updates on the campaign or to know more about our work? Follow the MMO on Twitter.

Phil Haslam, MMO Director of Operations, 18 April 2016 — Coastal