Powerful Breton organisation CCI opts for KOSMOS online fish auction system across six ports.

 The West Brittany Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry continues to modernize its auctions with the KOSMOS digital sales platform.

Digitization is a priority subject and auctions are not immune to the digital transformation underway. In this context, the CCIMBO launched a call for tenders for the modernization of its 6 auctions in Brittany . The contract was awarded to Aucxis, which will digitize the auctions by implementing KOSMOS from 2021. 

The CCIMBO manages 6 auctions: Le Guilvinec, Saint Guénolé, Douarnenez, Concarneau, Loctudy and Audierne. Each year, they process 50,000 tonnes of fish offered to 220 buyers, coming from 450 vessels. Although sales vary depending on the auction, the need for new digital systems is felt everywhere. In recent years, the demands of suppliers and buyers have changed dramatically towards distance shopping using a web browser or smartphone .

As a partner in auction automation for many years, Aucxis has developed KOSMOS , the digital sales platform in the cloud. With this standard and generic platform, it is easy to buy and sell in real time. Although KOSMOS is a standard platform, the different needs of each auction within the network are taken into account. The platform is available everywhere and accessible to everyone, allowing buyers and sellers to further improve their communication and make the data flow more reliable.

After a thorough analysis, the process of restructuring the sales systems will be developed in different stages. The terms of sale will be taken into account depending on the species, as well as the different types of equipment, such as weighing terminals and conveyors, which are an integral part of the process.

The final objective is the establishment of a fully online platform, easy to use and accessible to everyone and everywhere, aiming to connect the 6 auctions and to make the current structures and processes more efficient.

FishyFriday painting puzzle.

It took a while to work out where this was painted from - Fishermen Drying their Nets by Walter Langley.

Aldi supermarket chain launches new fish range to support British fishing industry.

It seems the interest and demand for fresh, locally caught fish is continuing to grow, partly as the result of the Covid lockdown which saw a huge upturn in customers seeking out sources of fresh, local fish. A few months ago a deal was announced between supermarket chain Morrisons and buyer/ processor Falfish from Cornwall now it's the turn of Aldi who have introduced a line of 'Specialbuy' fish - all sourced from the fresh fish markets at Brixham, Plymouth and Newlyn.

 

Aldi is launching a new range of seasonal fish in a bid to support the British fishing industry that has been hit hard by the closure of hospitality venues.

On sale from Thursday 13th May from just £1.49, the Specialbuy range features species mostly fished on the south coast of Britain that would normally have been sold to restaurants across the UK and Europe.

It marks the first time that species such as Dover Sole, Lemon Sole, British Hake and Cornish Sardines have featured on the supermarket’s shelves, and the first time that Turbot has been sold in any major UK supermarket.

The fish is sourced from hundreds of independent fishermen working off the south coast who sell their catches at fish markets in Plymouth, Brixham and Newlyn, and is the result of Aldi extending its partnership with Plymouth-based supplier Sound Seafood.

Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK said: “At Aldi, we’re committed to supporting British food producers. With so many challenges facing the British fishing industry, we spoke to our suppliers to see what we could do to help. We’re delighted to be able to purchase this seasonal fish stock that might otherwise go to waste, and it’s great for customers too who’ll be able to enjoy restaurant quality seasonal fish at Aldi prices.”

Alison Pessell, Auctioneer at Plymouth Fish Market said: “This is a fantastic boost for our fishing community as it represents a real lifeline for our crews. In more normal times, much of the native fish caught off the South West coastline is destined for restaurants across the UK and Europe, so the fact that they’ve been closed for much of the past year has been devastating. We’ve worked hard to find other buyers for our fish, with some suppliers delivering boxes of fish directly to customers’ homes. The response has been fantastic, with consumers recognising the quality and variety of fish landed in our ports.

“Now Aldi has stepped in at a crucial time providing the opportunity to connect customers directly with British fish supplied from our coastal communities. This is a substantial new market opportunity. Aldi has recognised the efforts made every day by our fishermen and women in the UK and is able to now share restaurant quality fish with Aldi customers to enjoy at home.”

To help inspire shoppers on how to prepare the seasonal catches at home, Aldi has teamed up with renowned restaurateur, chef and food writer Mark Hix to create a series of delicious yet simple recipes. Mark Hix said: “Our coastlines are teeming with wonderful, tasty native fish and I’ve been campaigning for years to encourage more people to try them. During lockdown I’ve seen a real shift towards eating seasonal and local food, with customers on my fish truck keen to know where their fish was caught. With this new range, Aldi is giving more people the chance to try these fantastic British fish at great value prices. And I’ll be sharing some simple seasonal recipes that cooks of all abilities can try at home.”

Aldi Specialbuys are limited-stock ranges that are launched in store and online every week and are available while stocks last. Specially Selected Dover Sole will be the first species in the range to go on sale from 13th May, with the other species to follow until 3rd June, and more hitting shelves between 1st and 22nd July.

Aldi is committed to championing British food producers, and earlier this year committed to spending an additional £3.5bn a year with British suppliers by 2025.

NFFO "No Norway agreement"

 

The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) is keen to find out why the fisheries negotiations between the UK and Norway collapsed.

On Friday, 30 May, the Norwegian Fisheries Minister Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen announced the negotiations for 2021 had ceased as both parties were too far apart on their views.

“Britain is shooting itself in the foot” claimed Audun Maråk, Administrative Director of Fiskebat on the announcement of the failed negotiations. But is the Norwegian’s claim true?

What does a “no-deal” mean for the UK fishing industry?

“This will mean that UK vessels will have no access to fish in Norwegian waters, north or south of 62o. Norwegian vessels will not be permitted to fish in UK waters. For the rest of 2021 It will also mean that quota exchanges will not take place. Traditionally, Norway has been interested in mainly pelagic quota, whilst the UK has been interested in demersal species, both in the North East Arctic and for North Sea stocks,” writes the NFFO.

Consequences 

“The loss of very significant fishing opportunities will carry direct consequences for the vessels and fishing businesses concerned but also a range of indirect consequences, including fleet displacement,” says the NFFO.

“Whilst the frustration and disappointment surrounding the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU was mainly driven by thwarted expectations, the failure to reach agreement with Norway will mean a significant and absolute reduction in fishing opportunities for our fleets.

“Together with the failure of talks with Faroes to secure an agreement, there is likely to be a significant displacement effect as vessels try to make a living in the constrained waters of the North Sea and West of Scotland.

“How to support vessels and fleets impacted, through what is turning out to be a very difficult year, will be at the forefront of the Federation’s points to ministers.”

Positioning 

The NFFO states “Until we receive a full briefing it will be difficult to understand the negotiation dynamic that led to this outcome but, as with the UK/EU negotiations, all parties will have an eye to the precedents set for the future. Access to fish in UK waters and post CFP adjustments are certainly part of the mix. Negotiations for an agreement for 2022 are expected to begin in the Autumn.”

Explanation 

At an industry briefing immediately after the talks collapsed, the NFFO indicated that it would now be important to have full scrutiny and analysis of the negotiations. As both parties have much to gain from an annual fisheries deal, we are anxious to understand why it was not possible to find agreement. A meeting with fisheries ministers has been arranged.

UK/EU 

“There are signs that the UK/EU negotiations for an agreement in 2021 are also coming to a head, says the NFFO. “Negotiations will resume tomorrow (30 April) and the EU is expected to respond to a UK final offer. The issue of access is not on the table but throughout the negotiations there has been a tension between the EU’s efforts to bind the UK back into CFP-type arrangements, and the UK’s scope to use regulatory autonomy when this is the preferable option. At some point this divergence is likely to become apparent, where agreement can’t be reached.”

More Celtic visitors.

Amaven Uno, another visiting Spanish flag stern trawler is in Newlyn this morning...

while another Scottish prawn boat moored on the end of the Marwy Williams pier - her namesake fished her 30 years ago along with the Loranthus, Wavecrest and Bounteous - they made two pair teams that fished for winter mackerel landing in Penzance dock...

as can be seen from this photo, with the fully laden Loranthus laying outside the Bounteous having her mackerel pumped ashore - most likely for fishmeal - sadly, the Bounteous was lost one night when she capsized while hauling her midwater trawl full of mackerel...

the inshore trawler Immy heads up the harbour...

these days, all Waterdance vessels have access to their own fuel supply...

not the best shot in the early morning sun of the Spanish stern trawler's stern...

looking for'ard along her trawl deck, you can clearly see a spare set of doors port side...

because these boats work in very deep water well west of the Western Approaches on or near the edge of the Continetal shelf on huge banks like the Gran Sole and Porcupine they use very long comination bridles that are held on separate winch drums...

these boats are built with flared bows to deflect the heavy seas they undoubtedly encounter during storms - they seldom if ever take shelter from all but the most severe winter storms...

and carry huge quantities of spare gear so that they are not forced to return to a port in the event of lost or damaged trawl net, wires or warps...

won't be long before Francesca joins the rest of the Rowse girls at sea...

time for a fresh coat of anti-fouling and varnish for the Britannia V now up on the slip...

yet more construction work near the Canner's slip, yet another exciting development taking place in the harbour...

if only they could talk, the Shiralee would have a few tales to tell of her many years at sea...

as would this retired trawler skipper if and when prompted...

lost in his world of headlines, footropes and meshes...

young Nigel has taken the chance of a fresh breeze to clean off...

less than six months growth of weed on his punt - despite the fact that the water temperature is still a measly and very unseasonable 11.5° - some way off the magic 13° that many creatures under the sea seem to respond too ...

and he's not the only one, Lewis with his Victoria Anne  has a similar task to complete - weed growth can slow a boat by up to two knots and makes for increased fuel consumption so best avoided!

 

The field that became Bowjey Woods.

Looking towards the area now being referred to as Bowjey Woods...

 

when this photo of Breton crabbers was taken in the 1930s you can quite clearly see that the woods were, in fact, a field - a field like that which became Newlyn Green on which fishermen would dry and 'bark' their pilchard nets...

today, the field has become almost totally overgrown with scrub and trees, this path marks the lower entrance as you ascend Bowjey Hill by road...

looking down through nearing the middle of the woods...

which if it wasn't for the trees would afford a superb view of the harbour and Mounts Bay beyond...

which is why there are moves to pre-empt an attempt to develop the area through a local group Friends of Rosebud Gardens and Bowjey Woods who keen to preserve such valuable community assets.

Sunday my prawns will come.

Making her usual weekend landing, Crystal Sea at the end of the Mary Williams pier...

training has started again for the local gigs...

Brixham beam trawler Julie of Ladram between trips...

and the second Scottish prawn trawler to pay a visit this year, Terry Jack's Nereus is in to land her trip from the Smalls...

relief lifeboat 17-27 Volunteer Spirit is in port today...

the Unity's port trawl door's are designed to keep the trawl bridles and footrope in close contact with the seabed...

 a tall mast aboard the classic yacht...

Hekla a regular visitor from Scotland...

another new kid on the block, Jen T...

who said my wheelhouse was a tad on the larger size?..

carbs going ashore from the Rowse fleet...

latest development in, or rather just outside, the harbour is a brand new service...

Sandy Cove Boatyard now up and running on Sandy Cove...

they might just lend a hand to the Ocean Pride project!