Through the Gaps! - Newlyn Fishing News Cornwall UK fish commercial fishing fish cooking and art

Wednesday, 16 August 2023

Medicals for fishermen? - what you need to know!

Catch the latest Fathom podcast on medicals for fishermen - advice and everything you need to know to keep you at sea.

Tuesday, 8 August 2023

Calling Cornish fishermen!

My name is Lottie - I am doing research on how there is less and less space for fishing boats because of other activities like wind farms, wave hiubs and marine protected areas (MPAs). I want to hear from fishermen about how this affects them.

If you would like to take part, I will interview you for about 40-60 minutes. We can meet in the harbour, a cafe, or online, whichever you prefer. I want to hear about your experiences and how these things are affecting you, and how it is affecting your community.

I am interested in Learning about you
Hearing examples of any competition for space in reality
Hearing about how it might affect you
Hearing about how it might affect your community

Your participation is completely anonymous and you can opt out at any time. Your answers will help me understand how activities other than fishing are affecting some Cornish fishermen, which is an important issue that is often overlooked.

Thank you for your time.

Contact Information

If you would like to participate or have any further queries, please contact Lottie Pearson at: cp752@exeter.ac.uk

Monday, 7 August 2023

Cracking Monday morning in Newlyn.

Hard to imagine 36 hours ago 70-80 knot gusts were hitting Lands End...

luckily they died away quick enough to allow many of the inshore fleet to get to sea and put fish on the market for Monday morning's auction...

as ever, ray figured heavily in the landings...

as did John Dory...

a fish associated with summer...

with many of the skippers looking specifically for them...

surprisingly there are also signs the big mediterranean octopus haven't quite moved on yet...

another BBQ favourite, smoothounds...

a quiet night also saw the sardine boats in action...

while Monday morning also saw the handliners make an early start for mackerel...

the big crabber, Winter of Ladram heads for a berth at the end of the quay to land...

she may be here for some time...

the start of another fne day at sea for the angling boat, Unleashed.

Saturday, 5 August 2023

Learning the ropes or too young to go to sea?

In the light of several well publicised incidents Sarah Ready from NUTFA is looking for information from any fisherman who has given a young family member or friend an introduction to fishing aboard their vessel.

"I am looking at research as to how many fishermen take their child aboard their fishing vessel, even if just to unload when coming in, or for help with repairs and maintenance when tied up ashore, or just to watch as an observer/passenger for the day during a commercial fishing trip. I am specifically interested in children under the age of 15 going as a passenger at sea during school holidays, or helping within the fishing business generally onboard during refit or unloading of catch. Help with mending nets/gear on board, etc. If you are a fishermen who has started a long successful career at sea, starting at sea under the age of 15, please also make contact. I am trying to get an idea as to extent within the industry of how many fishing families can provide information and data."

All information will be treated entirely confidentially.

Please WhatsApp me on 07402 089170 or email on sarah@nutfa.co.uk

Thank you.

Sarah NUTFA

Friday, 4 August 2023

Fish of the week 33 Golden Haddock

This example was caught by seine net in deepwater in the SouthWest Approaches while fishing for haddock. The last one landed in Newlyn was by the netter, Ocean pride back in 2021.

As the name implies, the rare specimen has a golden hue, rather than the usual distinctive silver/dark grey colouring, and does not have the dark blotches and thumbprint markings that are the normal characteristics of the haddock. Fishery scientists say that this is caused by recessive genes from both parents of the fish, which result in either a golden or an albino effect, although the health of the fish and the fresh quality are not compromised.

A normal haddock has a much more distinctive lateral line marking and more obvious 'thumbprint' mark behind its gill plate.

Haddock is still hugely popular in local fish and chip shops and makes an ideal substitute for cod in any recipe that calls for whitefish. It has a stronger flavour than many whitefish and is better, like most fish under rather than over-cooked!