The deadline has been extended until tomorrow for the Developing Cornwall’s Fisheries – Engagement Pilot in St ives.

 

The deadline has been extended until tomorrow for the Developing Cornwall’s Fisheries – Engagement Pilot in St ives. Please see below for more details:

We’ve had a lot of interest in this event but there are still places available, so we’ve extended the deadline.

If you’re a commercial fisher in Cornwall then jump onboard - get involved and face to face with fisheries managers to share ideas, challenges and opportunities.

You can register interest for one or more of the three days and what we’re covering each day is below.

Please register your interest by 17:00 (5pm) on Tuesday 1 October.

Following the deadline, we will issue formal invites to attendees with further details including location and timings.

Agenda:

Wednesday 16 October

• The implementation of published Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) - such as crab and lobster, and bass.

Thursday 17 October

• The development of draft FMPs such as skates and rays and the Celtic Sea mixed demersal which includes pollack and sole. 

• The annual negotiations process and links with future fisheries management and opportunities. 

• Opportunities for potential future funding

Friday 18 October

Discussion on challenges and solutions for creating a more balanced approach to marine planning for future food security, energy security and marine environment recovery.

Watch this CFPO video to hear more about the event- https://www.facebook.com/reel/1176724110095794

Stormy sou'easterly weather for the beam trawler Enterprise as she heads in through the gaps.

The first gale of wind for  some time sees the Enterprise dodging in the bay waiting for enough water to allow her to enter Newlyn at the end of her trip timing her arrival shortly before high water...

before safely navigating the gaps with seas overtopping the south pier every few minutes...

 the heavy spray making filming difficult!..

she had been working east of the Lizard...

meanwhile, top hake netter Ygraine lands her trip of hake to the market.

Sennen and Penlee lifeboats rescue French yacht, Arbella.

The yacht had first been attended by the Sennen lifeboat in a nine hour operation before she handed the tow over to the Penlee boat.

The yacht entered made fast alongside the Penlee lifeboat...

the French yacht Arbella...

had been en-route from Milford haven when she suffered a total steering breakdown - this update from Penlee lifeboat: 

"RNLI Penlee’s all-weather Severn Class Lifeboat the Ivan Ellen was tasked by Falmouth Coastguards at 6:30am on 28th September 2024 to assist a 47 foot sailing ketch 6 miles south of Porthcurno. The Ivan Ellen under command of Coxswain Amy Smith, Mechanic Tony Rendle and a crew of RNLI volunteers made best speed to the casualty which had suffered complete steering failure. A risk assessment was undertaken by the coxswain and considering the casualty had no means of steering and gales were forecast it was decided to tow the vessel to the nearest safe port - Newlyn. The lifeboat arrived in Newlyn at 9:30am the same day, where the casualty was safely moored pending repairs and the lifeboat prepared for the next shout."

windfarm service vessel, Farra Maev, the shape of things to come in Newlyn...

 good to see Barry on the mackerel.

Cornish fishing finished?

If you want to, ‘Keep Cornwall Fishing’, follow this link we’ll send you a copy of our open letter direct to your inbox. We’ve addressed the letter to Defra, The Crown Estate and Cornwall Council. 

Why have we written it? 

The Crown Estate has published a report that proposes expanding the development of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea. Swipe to see a map of what it would look like and watch one of our members talking with the BBC about what this would mean for the Cornish fishing fleet.

And there's more, much more!

If you catch, sell, process, buy, cook or eat UK caught fish and shellfish this is big news. The time is now for open and honest public debate about the pros and cons of Floating Offshore Wind, as despite the propaganda videos from certain quarters, be under no illusion, there can be no economic or safe 'return to fishing' once these structures have been anchored. Therefore, full development of the search areas proposed today will exclude fishing activities from over 4000 sq km of fishing grounds in the SW alone. The fleet cannot simply just move and the result will be the end of UK commercial fishing as we know it with socio-economic consequences being felt throughout the UK Seafood supply-chain and wider coastal communities.

Proposals to expand planned wind farm sites off the Devon and Cornwall coast could devastate the fishing industry, fishermen have warned.

It comes after the Crown Estate, which owns the sea bed, published its latest map of potential development zones.

It includes thousands of square miles off Land's End and the Isles of Scilly, currently prime fishing grounds, and an expanded zone off north Devon.

The Crown Estate said it would be seeking views "from across industry and marine stakeholders" during the initial process and it had already "engaged directly" with fisheries.

The Crown Estate published its latest map of potential development sites for offshore wind farms

Map of future offshore wind assessment areas

Dave Stevens, who has fished off Newlyn for 30 years, said new offshore wind development would not be good for the industry.

"It would be a devastating blow if that went ahead," he said. Everyone would be wanting to get out. I don't think the industry has been this challenged ever."

Chris Ranford, chief executive of the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation, added:

  

"We aren't anti-offshore renewable energy, we're not anti-marine protected area. We're pro having some sense and balance."

Steve Jermy, chief executive of Celtic Sea Power, who has been involved in the project since the start, cautioned it was still "very early days".

He said: "What I'd like to do is reassure people... the danger is we get into an 'us' and 'them'. It really would be such a mistake. I'd much rather think about it as one and all."

'Countless new opportunities' The Crown Estate said "offshore wind has a critical role to play in supporting the UK's energy transition".

It said the sector created "countless new opportunities within communities for skills and jobs, both onshore and at sea".

"The seabed is subject to a wide range of competing and complementary demands, which is why we have set out our initial thinking on how, and where, the future deployment of offshore wind might be possible, taking into account the needs of different sectors – including fishing – and the natural environment."

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs said it would "continue to work with colleagues across government and the Crown Estate to manage the demands on sea" by "releasing nature's recovery, supporting our fishers and renewables sectors".

September's final #FishyFriday!.

Not the best start to the day but an improvement on the gale of wind that blew through last night...

 

there were some good hake from the Britannia V...

and the one big beamer to land had a fine selection of these wriggly characters...

with some cracking brill...

ray wings...

and monk cheeks from the Crystal Sea...

a stack of quality ready to go...

along with some restaurant favourites, black bream...

just the one sardine boat braved the weather it seems...

while mackerel were still in good supply and a half decent run too...

those big bluefin are still around, anyone at Lands nd a few days ago would have seen them playing in the water right under the cliff...

top quality hake from the seiner...

the sun, trying its best to make its presence felt.

Sign up for fishing meetings!

 

We’re working in partnership with Defra, the MMO, NFFO, and UKAFPO on trialling new ways of working together.

Rather than having lots of meetings spread over a few weeks, there is going to be one event over three days.

It is taking place in St Ives and is an opportunity to contribute to the development of solutions to current and future challenges.

Due to limited places, you will need to register your interest in attending.

Applications will be reviewed to ensure the pilot has representation from a range of ports, fishing areas, fisheries, and gear types.

Agenda

*Wednesday 16 October*

• The implementation of published Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) - such as crab and lobster, and bass.

*Thursday 17 October*

• The development of draft FMPs such as skates and rays and the Celtic Sea mixed demersal which includes pollack and sole.

• The annual negotiations process and links with future fisheries management and opportunities.

• Opportunities for Future Funding

*Friday 18 October*

• Discussion on challenges and solutions for creating a more balanced approach to marine planning for future food security, energy security and marine environment recovery.

To register, head over to the CFPO here and they’ll send you a link to the form so you can register your interest for the event. You must do this by today, Friday 27th!

Defra have just launched a new Fisheries Management Plans blog! Subscribe now to keep in the picture.

Nicola Lewellen has announced the launch of a new blog dedicated to Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs), headed by lead communications officer Claire Dyer. The blog aims to provide transparency into the development and implementation of FMPs, ensuring that the public is informed about the latest developments in this critical area.

Following the General Election, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) is keen to share updates on FMPs. The department has been working diligently to prepare for the public consultation on five new Defra-led draft FMPs: 

• Cockle, 
• North Sea and Channel Sprat (jointly with the Scottish Government), 
• Queen Scallop, 
• Southern North Sea and Channel Skates and Rays, 
• and Southern North Sea Demersal Non-Quota Species.  

In addition, Defra is continuing to implement existing published FMPs, including 

• Bass (jointly with the Welsh Government), 
• Channel Non-Quota Demersal Species, Crab and Lobster (and Crawfish), 
• King Scallop (jointly with the Welsh Government), 
• Whelk, 
• and Southern North Sea and Eastern Channel Mixed Flatfish.  

With the support of new ministers, Defra is excited to move forward with fresh ideas and a renewed sense of purpose. The blog is a key component of the department's collaborative approach, and the public is encouraged to provide feedback on the content and topics they would like to see covered.

Subscribe to the blog here:

By commenting on blog posts and using the feedback link, individuals can help shape the direction of the blog and ensure that it meets their needs and interests. The blog will feature a variety of content, including updates on FMP development, behind-the-scenes glimpses into Defra's policy teams, and information on how decisions are being made.

Defra's goal is to make FMP development and implementation more open, accessible, and inclusive. By actively engaging with the public, the department aims to ensure that their voices are heard and that their needs and opinions are reflected in policy decisions.

The blog has already attracted some interesting comments!