RIP Chris Morley - stalwart Newlyn handline fisherman.

Newlyn residents with an eye for numbers will recall PZ612, the Rachel & Paul, as one of the regular small fishing boats heading in and out of the gaps...

 from the pontoon berths with a certain Chris Morley at the helm..... 

things marginally improved with the construction of the New Quay, except that the number of punts in a tier grew dramatically, always fun getting out as an inside boat!..

though back in the days before the New (Mary Williams) Quay, Chris would have moored his punt across on the North pier where it would dry out at low water...

mackerel fishing was the target fish for most days...

along with many other similar punts in the harbour...

all of whom look after one another when it comes to needing things like a tow in...

 

PZ 810 and PZ 612 - Two Boat 7"x7"

Chris was often captured on canvas, this time in gouache by the John Miller

Busy Day, Mousehole 28"x18"

and in watercolour by Kieron Williams. Whose work was prompted by the Newlyn School of Artists ...

when the boats landed to the fish market...

space for punts was tight...

heading out the gaps...

on the bass - that's what the long poles are for, towing lures just like pole and line tuna boats...

back in the North pier mooring days...

long-time friend Nigel and Chris lend a hand landing...

it wasn't always fishing for bass...

some days were spent targeting ray...

with his fellow co-conspirator Jeremy aboard the Danmark...

then it would be back the next day on the punt...

and another load of mackerel to land...

then back to a mooring...

then more mackerel...

and more...

or a chance to exchange information with a visiting group of fishermen from CapeVerde...

back trawling again...

but most days were spent handlining...

with some days...

more productive than others...

but always with an early, even pre-dawn start...

when the Danmark wasn't fishing and Chris wasn't looking for mackerel he would join Jeremy aboard the Danmark for a whole host of tugging and salvage jobs

resplendent in his bright red onesy...

and another tow job...

sometimes the boats were a little larger...

it was always ray...

that the Danmark targeted...

Chris was not one to shout or seek attention and just got on with doing what he did best, catch fish but occasionally it would be just his luck to get caught by a visiting film crew - he was however, a keen photographer himself, especially when it came to enjoying travels abroad as far afield as Oz..

but, at thre end of the day, he would rather be headed away to sea...

or in having just landed...

he might have been smiling here but fishing for spiders was not top of his ways to spend a day at sea, but sometimes needs must...

of course, like the well-known Frank Bramley watercolour, Eyes and No Eyes, some tasks, like tying on a new set of feathers meant were becoming increasingly challenging, but when you have completed four score and more and you're still fishing you know you have had the best life...

many will be sure that in spirit, this will be him now.

Chris' funeral is at 1pm, Wednesday 31st, at Camborne Crematorium, after which you an join his wife Viv at the Bath Inn, Penzance to celebrate his long fishing life.

Consultation on the seasonal closure of the crawfish fishery in ICES area 7

 

Background 

In 2023 MMO worked with industry to address concerns regarding the southwest crawfish fishery. Following a workshop and consultation the minimum conservation reference size (MCRS) was increased from 95 millimetres (mm) to 110mm on 1 January 2024 and a fishery closure was introduced from 5 February 2024 to 30 April 2024.

A further workshop took place on 13 February 2024 where a further seasonal closure was discussed, with support for a repeat to the annual closure. Further information is available on the Southwest Regional Fisheries Group webpage.

Consultation

MMO has opened a consultation for an annual seasonal closure. The consultation will run from 23 July 2024 to 18 August 2024.

The following closure periods are proposed for your consideration:

• no closure

• 1 November 2024 to 31 May 2025

• 1 December 2024 to 31 May 2025

The closure would be for all UK and EU vessels with all gears working in ICES sub area 7 in English waters enacted through a licence variation.

The purpose of the proposed closure is to:

• provide additional protection to spawning potential through decreasing the number of removals and interactions with fishing activities and allow settlement of juvenile stock. • reduce the risk of nets being left for long soak times or lost during the unpredictable winter weather.

Further information regarding the consultation and how to respond, can be found here or contact us at sustainablefisheries@marinemanagement.org.uk.

Partnership established to explore the future of Plymouth’s fish market

 

Plymouth City Council, Sutton Harbour Company and Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association are working together to commission a feasibility and business planning exercise to help explore options for re-opening the city’s fish market.

Since the sudden closure of the market in May, following the decision by Plymouth Trawler Agents to cease trading, Plymouth’s important fishing port has continued to operate thanks to support from Sutton Harbour staff, Brixham Trawler Agents and Stevensons transporting fish landed in Plymouth for sale in Brixham and Newlyn.

This support has provided a vital bridge for the fishing industry in the city. There is clear demand from vessel operators and fish merchants based here to have access to a fish market locally, and the partners are now seeking support from experts in the field to determine exactly what this provision should look like.

The feasibility study and business planning exercise will determine the type and extent of the market and the steps needed to operate a market in the short and medium term, as well as consider the longer-term sustainability, both economic and environmental, of a Plymouth-based market and operator.

This work will review the former market and seek to identify ways in which it could be improved for local fishers, the merchants and buyers to ensure the city has a robust offering that fills the needs of its stakeholders and retains an important cultural aspect of the city for future generations to enjoy.

The opportunity to bid to undertake this work is advertised through https://www.pfsa.uk/news/plymouth-fish-market-feasibility-study If you believe you have the credentials, expertise and knowledge to help shape the future of Plymouth’s fishing industry please contact the PFSA through Hello@pfsa.uk.

Council Leader Tudor Evans OBE said: “The fishing industry in Plymouth is really important and that is why we are now providing grant funding alongside the PFSA and Sutton Harbour Company to look at the options to reopening the fish market. We are open-minded to future solutions and nothing is off the table.

“We are grateful for the transport being provided by Brixham and Newlyn and hope this will continue. We are also grateful for the PFSA for stepping up and for Sutton Harbour Company’s commitment to reopening the market.

“We have been working closely with the fishing industry since the sudden closure of the fishing market and will continue to do everything we can to ensure that our strong fishing port has continued access to markets.”

Philip Beinhaker, Executive Chairman of Sutton Harbour Group, said: "Sutton Harbour Company (SHC), as the statutory Harbour Company and operator of Plymouth Fisheries, is fully committed to the re-opening of the fish market in Plymouth, in a timely and effective manner, for the benefit of the industry, the city and public at large.

“The unfortunate circumstances, and very short two-week notification from the PTA, which led to the current situation also offer the opportunity for a reconceiving of the fish market, and how it can be re-oriented in the most advantageous manner possible for all strategic parties involved.

“SHC is appreciative of the collaboration and contribution by the Council and PFSA in this effort of undertaking the business and concept analysis for the market.

“SHC recognises the constructive collaboration of the BTA and Newlyn markets in their assistance in 'weathering' this interim period until the market in Plymouth is re-established.

“We look forward to the completion of the study and ultimate identification and engagement with the entity best placed and suited to re-commence market activities in Plymouth, both in the mid-term and longer-term.”

Edward Baker, CEO of Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association said: 

"PFSA’s aim is to help the Plymouth fishing fleet and other surrounding ports to thrive, we believe a market in Plymouth is integral to that and we are grateful for the support of Plymouth City Council and Sutton Harbour Company in the development of this study to see if we can make a market work again in Plymouth. We are also continually grateful for the transport provided by Brixham and Newlyn without which vessels would not be able to currently fish from Plymouth."

Info courtesy of Plymouth City Council.

Final #FishyFriday in July

Summary of this week's landings from the auctioneer: 

The Newlyn fish market experienced a robust week of trading, with consistent volumes and strong prices across a range of species.

Monday’s market saw a total of 26.4 tonnes land, comprising catches from beam trawlers, netters, and the inshore fleet. Notable volumes included 3.2 tonnes of Megrim, 2 tonnes of Monkfish, and 12.7 tonnes of MSC certified Hake. Prices were generally high, with particularly strong performance from Pollock, Haddock, and Dover Sole.

The following days saw continued strong demand, with consistent volumes and prices across a range of species. A highlight of the week was the landing of a 92kg Bluefin Tuna, a significant catch for the Newlyn market.

While Thursday’s market was smaller due to adverse weather conditions, overall, the week was positive for the fishing community.

It's a blue rather than grey start to the day fr the final Fishy Friday in July...

and the week ends with the big mix of fish for which Newlyn is renowned - more species of fish are sold through the auction than any other fish market in the UK...

from these cracking John Dory...

to these luscious lobsters...

mighty megrims...

and Dovers...

mixing it up with Mediterranean octopus...

beautiful bass...

mighty meaty mackerel...

salty sardines...

more Dovers...

it's always tough to land one of the old timers...

a whole bunch of toe-snapping wrigglers...

and a big bone crusher...

ray galore

and the biggest plaice of the year...

fish with much darker skins than usual are generally from heavily weeded areas close inshore...

scampi tails as always...

and some cracking wings of the Red Bull variety...

not forgetting the king of fish and prices on the market, big turbot...

young Mr Coutsubus brings in the Twlight  at dawn, passing the new Scilly ferry which remains in her berth, her future uncertain...

there's a few gin palaces mixed in with the sailboats this morning...

looks like a day's work r three for the netting crews between tides...

an interesting looking visiting trawler, registered north in Colchester on the east coast...

always good to see these guys at rest in the harbour...

top local inshore boat, Girl Pamela...

about to sail, maybe Chris busy stowing pots can answer the question as to why the boat has a croc suspended from the foremast gantry, maybe some form of inclinometer?..

Neil will be hoping for the fine weather to continue...

a two man-power tug...

as the end comes ashore...

for the harbour staff to keep the Amanda in her berth.