Fête de Douarnenez 2024

Roscoff bound from Plymouth on the Pont-Aven...

The walk in to Douarnenezz from the ample parking organised for the festival takes you across the road bridge over looking Port Rhu and the Musée de Pêche...

and, in true Breton hospitality style, ample covered areas in which to enjoy

all those typically simple dishes that the French do so well...

a stroll up through and over the town centre takes you via the cobbled streets...

to be greeted by a superb view overlooking the port of Douarnenez itself...

though the weather decided not to play ball for much of Saturday, so solace was sought in several of the sailors' bars that line the streets of the port...

not that a few drops or rain stop the ever-changing spectacle of classic sailing boats, most of which are either original or replicas of fishing boats from ports all around France and beyond...

hungry?, not a burger bar in sight...

the rain it raineth for sure...

half the fleet were in port...

and there was a never ending display of sculling, the preferred method of getting around the harbour...

some powered their way in...

others, like this tiny lugger, sailed everywhere...

a host of visitors lined the music quay...

along with the bigger boats in the inner harbour...

the unmistakable stern of Guide Me...

and the tall ship, Belem, which, earlier this year delivered the Olympic torch by sea from Greece to Paris

plenty of recognisable boats...

were kept entertained until the early hours of the four day festival...

during which time there is always some sort of action on the water...

such a powerful hull...

come Sunday the sun is out...

and the Parade of Sail begins...

with a glimpse of the few remaining fishing boats in the port itself, most being sardine boats these days and a handful of big freezer trawlers that seldom make it back to port...

the weather provided near perfect sailing conditions allowing all the boats to put up their full compliment of sails...

like the Cap Sizun from Audierne

a bog cheer qwent up for the passing lifeboat...

as one of the most iconic Breton lugger headed towards the quay...

wherever she goes...

the Cançalaise gets a huge cheer as she passes...

but a week ago, the Swallow graced Mousehole, Sea, Salt and Sail with her presence...

chaloupe,  An Eostig a replica of a Douarnenez sardine boat...

races past to a rousing cheer from the home crowd...

passed by the Iris Mary CK105, an East coast fishing smack built in Brightlinsea in 1912...

it's not all about the boats, there are plenty of displays of traditional maritime crafts on show like weaving and pot making...

the chance for kids to be pirates...

and, perhaps the most atmospheric experience of the whole festival...

the sound of Breton pipes being played in the traditionally dressed band, the youngest band member was aged nine...

a great accompaniment to a smoked and cured fish platter for lunch...

the classic ship, Greyhound from Sweden...

plenty for the youngsters to get their first taste of sailing, the temporary boating pool...

more sculling...

the Biche, a superbly maintained sailing tuna or Thonier boat...

this boat was the second built by students during the course of the festoval, barley a drop of water in her despite having just been launched!...

looking north and east...

towards the main fishing port...

Eric Tabarly's famous, Pen Duick...

many of the boats in the festival, like the Phoenix,  offer adventure sailing trips - just a click away!...

could be more rain...

heading for home and the softest evening light falls over the flat calm waters of Port Rhu...

then, it's back to Roscoff and aboard the Pont-Aven and a chance meeting with a fleet of Macneil vivier lorries, regular visitors to Newlyn, but this time hauling shellfish from Scotland to Spain...

 

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Book your chance to take part in the UK Fishing Fleet Survey 2024

Every year we talk to fishing vessel owners around the UK to capture economic and employment data. We also ask about the issues affecting businesses. This page has information on:


The 2024 Fishing Fleet Survey will start on Monday 15 July. For enquiries please contact fleet.survey@seafish.co.uk.

About the Fleet Survey

The fleet survey is a major piece of research into the health of the UK's fishing sector. It looks at the economic performance of the fleet itself and at the demographics of the people who work in fishing businesses. This allows us to better understand the social impact the industry has on coastal communities. The results of the survey help both industry and policy makers to understand the changing challenges and opportunities vessel owners and managers face, as well as the impact of fisheries management measures.

Creating an accurate picture of the industry relies on support and participation from skippers and vessel owners across the UK.

Fleet Survey 2024 timetable 

Country	Region and Dates
England	Dorset and Isle of Wight: 12 – 16 August
	Durham and Yorkshire: 22 – 26 July
	Essex: 12 – 16 August
	Kent: 26 – 30 August
	Lancashire and South Cumbria: 15 – 19 July
	Merseyside: 29 July – 2 August
	North Cornwall and Devon: 26 – 30 August
	North Cumbria: 2 – 6 September
	Norfolk: 9 – 13 September
	Northumberland and Tyne and Wear: 15 – 19 July
	South East Cornwall: 15 – 29 July, 26 – 30 August, 2 – 6 September, 9 – 13 September
	South West Cornwall: 22 – 26 July
	South Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire: 29 July – 2 August
	Suffolk: 22 – 26 July
	Sussex and East Hampshire: 5 – 9 August
	West Dorset and South Devon: 5 – 9 August
Scotland	Argyll and Bute: 15 – 29 July
	East Dumfries and Galloway: 2 – 6 September
	Fife: 22 - 26 July
	Isle of Skye: 29 July – 2 August
	Lothian and Borders: 19 – 23 August
	Mid West Highland: 12 – 16 August
	North Aberdeen and Moray: 5 – 9 August
	North East Highlands: 5 – 9 August
	North West Highland: 15 – 19 July
	North Argyll and Bute and Isle of Mull: 15 – 19 July
	Orkney: 19 – 23 August
	Outer Hebrides: 19 – 23 August
	Shetland: 19 – 23 August
	South Argyll and Bute and Isle of Jura and Islay: 29 July – 2 August
	South East Aberdeen and Angus: 5 – 9 August, 9 – 13 September
	South West Highland: 22 – 26 July
	West Dumfries and Galloway and Ayrshire: 22 – 26 July
Wales	Glamorgan and South Dyfed: 2 – 6 September
	North Dyfed and South Gwynedd: 29 July – 2 August
	North Wales: 29 July – 2 August
Northern Ireland	Northern Ireland: 29 July – 2 August

This is the proposed schedule for fleet researcher visits in 2024. The schedule is subject to change and it will be updated every Monday.

If you miss the fleet researchers in your area, email fleet.survey@seafish.co.uk and we can arrange another way for you to take part.

During the survey

Our researchers visit ports and harbours across the UK to speak with vessel owners and skippers. They follow local guidance and health and safety protocols as they travel and meet with fishers.

The survey asks a series of questions about the financial and operational performance of fishing vessels questions about the demographics of the crew. It's an opportunity to build our understanding of how fishing businesses have fared in the last 12 months.

All information shared with Seafish is always treated in the strictest confidence. No figures relating to any individual or specific vessel are revealed in any outputs.

Fisherman being interviewed by a Seafish fleet survey researcher 

Take the survey

Vessel owners interested in participating should email fleet.survey@seafish.co.uk with their:

name

email and/or phone number

port of operation

Our researchers will arrange to meet you in port or schedule a telephone or video call if that is more suitable.

Benchmarking reports for vessel owners

Owners who provide their financial accounts can request a free financial performance benchmark report. The report compares their vessel’s economic performance to similar vessels which can help identify areas where business improvements can be made. They can also be used as evidence in grant or loan applications.

Industry testimonials

Various industry representatives from across the country have called on vessel owners to take part in the survey. Find out more, by accessing our YouTube videos on the links below.

Mike Park from the Scottish White Fish Producers Association (SWFPA) on why fishing businesses should take part.

Jerry Percy from the New Under Ten Fishermen's Association (NUTFA) on why to take part in the Fleet survey.

Harry Wick from the Northern Ireland Fish Producers' Organisation (NIFPO) explains how Fleet Survey data helps him to represent fishermen better.

Nelwyn Fish Market Booming This Week!

 

The Newlyn fish market has been a hive of activity this past week, with a steady stream of fresh seafood hitting the auction block. Here's a quick rundown of what landed:

Lots of Variety: 

From delicate Dover sole (up to 5.2t landed!) to hearty Monkfish (reaching 3.8t!), the market saw a wide range of species. Hake Takes the Spotlight: MSC-certified Hake was a clear favorite, with over 22 tonnes landed throughout the week. Good Prices All Around: Fishery owners were happy with the prices throughout the week, with some highlights including Dover sole reaching £25.08 per kg and Monkfish at £15.32 per kg. Busy Days: Thursday saw the biggest haul, with a whopping 27.6 tonnes of fish landed! Even the Less Common Made an Appearance: Bass, Turbot, and John Dory all made appearances throughout the week, showing the diversity of the catch. Overall, it seems like a successful week for the Nelwyn fish market. With a good variety of seafood and strong prices, it sounds like both fishermen and consumers are happy!