First day of the new era on Newlyn fish market as Stevenson's take control.

You just know rain is on its way this morning...

on a day when a new era is heralded in as Stevensons and Ocean Fish take on running the fish market and auction...

it's a fitting start, with a wide variety of fish from visiting Scottish prawn boats like the Ocean Vision ...

and Daystar...

filled most of the three zones...

plenty of ray still on the grounds...

and a good run of haddock from the seiner...

while the St Georges landed a good trip of seasonal Dovers...

and with the start of a new month, the bass season is now open again...

hopeful signs of summer...

that's a huge conger shot...

and more head-on monk...

as the sky darkens...

there are still plenty of boats at sea...

as the Ygraine lands a few days worth of hard fought for, weather-wise,..

 hake, to make the best of the prices...

with the sole grounds round in the Bristol Channel...

Brixham beam trawlers make their trips shorter by landing in Newlyn...

 even if their fish goes up the road to the auction at Brixham...

unusual to see a yacht this early in the season...

new company boxes, all set for the new auction set-up.

 

A New Era for an Old Relationship: Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners formalise fish auction agreement with W Stevenson & Sons

Tis information supersedes any previous appertaining to the running of the fish market,

Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners (NP&HC) and W Stevenson & Sons Limited (WS&S) have signed an agreement that both formalises and modernises the productive and long-standing relationship that has existed between them in Newlyn for decades.

From that date, the new arrangements within this agreement will provide legal certainty and stability for both parties, whilst establishing a cohesive partnership with one strategic aim – to provide superlative facilities and services for the Cornish fleet and wider UK fishing industry.

This agreement not only demonstrates that NP&HC have confidence in WS&S to take the Newlyn Fish Market auction forward in support of fishers from Cornwall and across the UK. It also enables the Harbour Commissioners and its management team to focus on the sustainable development of the Newlyn Harbour estate, and on continuing to ensure that its harbour and quays are well-maintained for the benefit of all users.

WS&S is now the exclusive auctioneer at Newlyn Fish Market for the seven-year duration of this concession agreement, which will not only ensure its continued investment in people and equipment, but also the continuance and further development of an efficient and well-managed fish auction at the Port.

Whatever happens inside Newlyn Fish Market is now the domain of WS&S.

Whatever happens outside Newlyn Fish Market on the rest of the Newlyn Harbour estate is the province of NP&HC and the Newlyn Harbour Master/CEO.

Operationally, the following practical changes will be implemented from Monday 1st April and we appreciate the understanding and co-operation of all harbour users whilst we all familiarise ourselves with these new arrangements.

The important point to remember is that Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners will be working with W Stevenson & Sons Limited to improve and expand the facilities and services that are offered at Newlyn Harbour for the benefit of fishers, harbour users and the local community.

Newlyn Fish Market

• W Stevenson & Sons (WS&S) now has full control over ALL operations within Newlyn Fish Market
• If you require access to Newlyn Fish Market for any reason, please contact the Market Manager at WS&S on 07876 832055 or 07836 522314, not the Harbour Office
• Refrigerated storage in Newlyn Fish Market is now at the discretion of WS&S. Please provide WS&S with prior notice by telephoning or messaging 07876 832055 or 07836 522314, or visiting Newlyn Fish Market Reception. If space allows, WS&S will confirm where fish should be stored. Please note that there is a charge of £1 per box, per day for this service
• No equipment (including pallet trucks and scales etc) are to be removed from Newlyn Fish Market without express prior permission from WS&S
• If you experience any issues with facilities and services at Newlyn Fish Market, please contact WS&S on the contact details above or email paul.trebilcock@wstevenson.co.uk, not the Harbour Office.

Newlyn Harbour

• Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners (NP&HC) and its management team continue to manage, maintain and develop the Newlyn Harbour estate, Newlyn Harbour and its quays
• If you wish to report an incident or a maintenance issue, or require lifting and launching facilities; berths or moorings for your vessel; water, electricity; storage or repairs, or launching, angling and car parking permits, please visit the Harbour Office or contact us via info@newlynharbour.com or 01736 362521
• Newlyn Harbour is open and staffed 24/7. Vessels are asked to provide 24 hours’ notice of arrival and call us on VHF Ch12 when passing the Low Lee Buoy. There is an operational member of Newlyn Harbour staff (day, night and weekend watch), monitoring the VHF and Harbour 24/7, 365 days per year.

Brexit benefit - a new era for the fish auction in Newlyn.

"Taking back control"

Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners (NP&HC) and W Stevenson & Sons Limited (WS&S) have signed an agreement that both formalises and modernises the productive and long-standing relationship that has existed between them in Newlyn for decades.

head-on monk ready for auction

Monday, marks a significant moment in the history of the port of Newlyn as the UK’s premier quality fish auction. With Brexit benefits beginning to surface almost every day and following the new agreement, a decision has been made to adopt Imperial Measurements again; fish on the auction can now be sold in stones and pounds.

WS&S is now the exclusive auctioneer at Newlyn Fish Market for the seven-year duration of this concession agreement, which will not only ensure its continued investment in people and equipment, but also the continuance and further development of an efficient and well-managed fish auction at the Port.

“The long story of fish being sold at Newlyn continues with this new chapter,” explains Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners’ Chairman, Rob Wing. “This new agreement between NP&HC and WS&S may have taken a long time to bring to fruition, but we are confident that it represents the best possible opportunity for all fishers that land their catch at Newlyn Fish Market.

megrims are one of the most landed fish on the market

“In these challenging times for the fishing industry, NP&HC and WS&S now have a formal shared purpose in supporting the catching, landing, buying and selling of prime quality fish in West Cornwall in the 21st century and for generations to come.”

What are Fisheries Management Plans?

The UK government has responsibilities under international law and is committed to managing our fisheries in a sustainable way. Meeting our responsibilities will support vibrant, profitable, and sustainable fishing industries alongside a healthy and productive marine environment. 

The Fisheries Act 2020 provides the framework to manage our fisheries as an independent coastal state outside of the EU Common Fisheries Policy. The act requires the UK fisheries policy authorities (Defra, and the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) to publish fisheries management plans (FMPs) to help deliver our ambition for sustainable fisheries. 

The Joint Fisheries Statement lists 43 proposed FMPs. Some FMPs will be developed jointly by 2 or more fisheries policy authorities, whilst others will be developed by a single authority for its own waters.

What an FMP is

FMPs are evidence-based action plans, developed in collaboration with the fishing sector and other stakeholders. Their purpose is to deliver sustainable fisheries for current and future generations. 

Each FMP will specify the stocks, type of fishing and the geographic area covered, as well as the authority or authorities responsible and indicators to be used for monitoring the effectiveness of the plan. 

Once published, FMPs will inform a wide range of relevant fisheries management actions. There will not be a ‘one size fits all’ approach to our FMPs – they will be designed according to the specific needs of their stocks, fisheries and location. Therefore, FMPs will vary in their content and format because our fisheries range from stocks whose management is well understood, to complex mixed fisheries with many stocks in whole sea areas.

Medical 'exemption' - but does it go far enough?

The thinking behind the medical requirement being introduced in the first place was, for many in the industry based on little or no evidence. Fishing organisations, going back decades, struggled to find any incidents where the existing health condition of any fisherman resulted in an accident or loss of life at sea .

While transport Secretary, Mark Harper may be happy with his announcement in Newlyn on Tuesday, many fishermen feel there is still a fight to be had over the 'exemptions'. None present at the announcement would have disagreed with Mark Harper that fishing is not without risks - but every fisherman who goes to sea is fully aware of the risks, trained in sea survival, first aid and firefighting and is not only equipped with safety equipment but subject to a host of rules and regulations to abide by dictated by the Maritime Coastguard Agency.

A coastguard with 25 years experience had this to say,

And as one ex-fisherman said, 

"I don't buy the Transport Secretary's response that even a singlehanded fisherman puts someone else's life at risk if they get in trouble - compare the 8,000 UK fishermen taking every precaution to the millions of holiday-makers on the water off our shores every summer who are completely unregulated - on average the RNLI responds to 8,500 call-outs a year - what data is the 'risk assessment' based on to justify such draconian rules on inshore fishermen?

And, as if to make that point graphically, Plymouth Harbour posted this video today which totally vindicates the fishermen's argument against the imposition of the need for a medical in the first place.

It was posted with the permission of the unfortunate boater.

NFFO's response to yesterday's 'medical exemption' news announced in Newlyn.

 

After extensive campaigning by the NFFO, the government has today announced a partial reversal of its policy on medical certification for fishermen. Anyone fishing for 4 weeks or more on a UK under 10m boat between 30th November 2021 and 29th November 2023 is now exempt from the requirement to hold a medical fitness certificate.

This is a welcome outcome, to be sure, and desperately needed. It is a total reversal in the government’s position on the under 10m fleet and will benefit thousands of fishermen. They will no longer have to live with the constant prosect of losing their livelihoods because of medical conditions that are demonstrably having no impact on their safety.

It is, admittedly, rather strange that the government has chosen to announce this as ‘reducing the burden’ on fishermen, since it insisted on creating that burden in the first place, despite our warnings about the consequences of doing so. Nevertheless, it is the right thing to do and will help many people who would otherwise have faced a bleak outlook.

Many, but not all, however.

This may be a deeply necessary move, but it is not sufficient. Deciding who should benefit from this exemption based on the length of their boat does not make sense. Inshore boats over 10m may work in the same places in in the same ways as under 10s. These fishermen are just as likely to be self-employed and their businesses are just as vulnerable to new legislative burdens. Indeed, they already have the additional challenges of e-log and VMS systems to contend with.

Surely, an exemption based on time at sea and distance from port would be more sensible and proportionate than one based on vessel length. This would help where help is needed and balance the risks in a more equitable way.

Even within the under 10m fleet, the story is not over. What happens now for all those who left the industry because they went through the medical certification process and received an outcome that made continued working impossible or impractical for them? How many lives have been upended, in entirely predictable ways, for no good reason and what will the government do for them now?

In short: we have won a battle, but the fight goes on.

Transport minister Mark Harper announces major amendments to the medical requiremnts for small boat fishermen today in Newlyn.

Following extensive consultation with the industry, the Government has listened and will waive the requirement for routine medical checks for fishermen on vessels measuring 10 metres and under. While the safety of fishermen remains the top priority, the Government is delivering this pragmatic change so that small-scale fishing businesses aren’t unduly forced ashore and financially burdened by the cost of medical assessments, allowing them to continue fishing without restriction. Small-scale fishing businesses, represent over 80% of UK registered fishing vessels. 

Announcing the news this morning, transport secretary Mark Harper along with St Ives MP Derek Thomas and S East Cornwall MP Steve Double, toured the quays talking with with harbourmaster Jonathon Poynter and harbour commissioner Rob Wing before attending a meeting with industry members. 

Transport Secretary Mark Harper minister held his hands up and admitted they had got it wrong first time round and that he was hoping to hear approval from the industry during the course of the meeting for the relaxation of the rules. 

He said: “This Government backs our fishing industry, which is why we have listened to fishing communities and are easing the burden on small-scale fishermen to make sure they can continue their work unhindered. “Our fishing sector will be able to continue operating safely, protected by our world leading safety standards, while supporting the UK fishing industry that forms the backbone of so many coastal economies.  Vessels of 10 metres and under form a vital part of the UK’s fishing industry, and today we’re taking action to ensure those who work on them will not face the cost of medical assessments."

To that end, handliner Tim Pullen who works a punt from Mousehole, told of his first-hand experience of the current legislation - that of fishing singlehanded without any problems despite having had a heart by-pass years ago - Tim was also keen to seed that, in line with other EU states, that Under10m fishermen should be exempt from medical requirements. With this landmark decision, the government has also widened the eligibility criteria. Initially, during the consultation phase, the government proposed that fishermen on vessels of 10 metres and under must have worked for a minimum of 4 weeks in the year before the regulations took effect. However, recognising the potential for exclusion due to factors such as illness, the government has extended the time limit to 2 years.

Paul Trebilcok, Chris Rainford and Nathan De Rozarieux, on behalf of fishermen and industry organisations put their message across, while applauding the MCA and MMO for having listened to the small boat sector and responding in such a positive way they did, however, stress the apparent dis-connect between the relevant government departments and their inability to act in a timely fashion with regard to enforcing rules and regulations - especially in the case of small singlehanded boats who can ill afford to be tied up against the quay for weeks and weeks while the MMO or MCA labour over processing work to be carried out or rules to be complied with. 

Chris Ranford from the CFPO that represents the majority of small boat fishermen in Cornwall said he was pleased with the result, particularly because the initial legislation had had such a devastating impact on many fishermen who thought that their lives were being turned upside down and in some cases, ruined, for no good reason. He largely supported the idea that newcomers would be subject to more stringent rules but happy to hear that grandfather rights were effectively being bestowed on those who had been at sea for years fishing without any issues despite their existing and well managed medical conditions. he also stressed the economic and social benefit to the UK of fishing - citing a recent report that showed 15 jobs were supported ashore for every one fishermen at sea.

Earlier, while walking around the harbour with the Mark Harper, local MP Derek Thomas took the opportunity to press the case for supporting major investment in Newlyn. High on the priority list is the development of Sandy Cove for deep-water berthing and services to support an ever-increasing number and size of visiting vessels along with alternative road access - Newlyn saw nearly 30,000 tons of fuel and fish alone transported by road last year through the narrow streets.

Here is a summary of the Medical Exemption

Key Points from the Consultation Outcome Report on Medical Exemption for Existing Fishers on Vessels of 10 Metres and Under: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) conducted a public consultation from January 16, 2024, to February 27, 2024, regarding Medical Exemption for Existing Fishers on Vessels of 10 Metres and Under.

• The consultation proposed an exemption from specific regulations for existing fishers on fishing vessels under 10 metres in length, as per the Merchant Shipping (Work in Fishing Convention) (Medical Certification) Regulations 2018.

• The exemption does not apply to vessels of 24 metres or more in length or to vessels staying at sea for more than three days, as per the Work in Fishing Convention.

• The objective of the exemption is to support existing fishers in the UK fishing industry, reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses, and ensure safety while maintaining continuity in fishing operations.

• Responses from the consultation were categorised to identify key messages and underwent peer review for analysis.

Overall, the report highlights the balance between supporting fishers' needs, industry requirements, and safety considerations within the fishing sector.

An 'M' notice was issued today given the full details of the exemption being introduced.

For any other fishermen needing medical here is a link to a list of GPs across the UK.