Do you did you catch pollack in the South West?

Pollack fishing using boards

Pollack is an economically and socially important species for communities along the Devon and Cornwall coast, and has experienced a 72% decline in commercial landings over the last 20 years. A lack of evidence hampers fisheries management, so the Pollack FISP will collect vital data about pollack movement, habitat choice, populations and life history. This Marine Conservation Research Group project is to collect vital data about pollack movement, habitat choice, populations and life history using fishermen.

Run by University of Plymouth staff: Dr Emma Sheehan, Dr Thomas Stamp, Dr Rebecca Nesbit and Dr Bryce Stewart (MBA)

Data collection

Pollack will be fitted with acoustic tags, allowing their movements to be tracked using a network of receivers around the UK and Europe. Each tag continuously emits a uniquely coded ‘ping’ which can be detected by receivers on the seabed. This tracking data will reveal when and where pollack migrate, and identify habitats that are important for the fish, particularly at sensitive times such as spawning. It will also provide mortality estimates by identifying uncharacteristic absences of tagged fish. Pollack FISP

Working together

Fisheries data will also be collected by project partners. Anecdotal reports from commercial and recreational fishers have reported declining catch rates, with boats having to increase effort to capture fewer and smaller fish. To provide empirical evidence and inform future sustainable management, the project will analyse historic trends in pollack populations using catch logbooks from charter boats and records of trophy catches held at angling clubs. For the duration of the project, a consortium of charter vessels will collect Catch Per Unit Effort data.

In addition, a subsample of fish will be retained to provide biological data for stock assessment. Stomach contents will be analysed to identify prey species, and gonads will be used to calculate spawning activity. Each fish will be measured and aged, providing information on their size at different ages and at maturity.

Aims

Overall, the project will provide a strong evidence-base to inform sustainable management of pollack fisheries in the Channel. To help translate the data into policy, fishers will be interviewed to identify common concerns and ideas for fisheries-management recommendations. The project is led by Dr Emma Sheehan and post-doctoral researcher Dr Thomas Stamp from the University of Plymouth. It is supported by funding from the Defra Fisheries in Science Partnership (FISP) scheme, and delivered in partnership with the Professional Boatman’s Association, the University of York, the Marine Biological Association, the Angling Trust and Cefas. Research vessel

Professional Boatmans AssociationProfessional Boatmans Association Angling TrustAngling Trust University of YorkUniversity of York Cefas logoCefas Marine Biological Association logoMarine Biological Association University of Plymouth logoUniversity of Plymouth

Get involved with the Pollack FISP

The Pollack FISP is a true collaboration between scientists and the fishing community, so we are keen to hear from anyone who would like to get involved. We will be speaking with recreational anglers, charter skippers and commercial pollack fishers to learn more about their experiences of pollack fishing, their opinions on the current status of the stock and their views on future stock management. If you are a pollack fisher and are happy to be interviewed, please email Simon Thomas: simon.f.thomas@york.ac.uk

We are also collecting data from logbooks and trophy catch records to look for historic trends. If you have access to information that you’d be happy to share, please email Simon Thomas: simon.f.thomas@york.ac.uk Some of the fish we’ve tagged have been fitted with a yellow 'floy' tag at the base of the dorsal fin. On this tag you will see an email address (fishtagging@plymouth.ac.uk) and a tag ID number. If you catch a tagged fish, please email us with as much information as possible about when and where the fish was caught. If you’re fishing on secret marks, even just knowing this fish has been recaptured is extremely valuable to us.

There are spaces available on the RYA Yachtmaster course in October

 

Seafood Cornwall Training have spaces available on thier RYA Yachtmaster course in October. 

This is a 6 day course held in Newlyn at our training hub. The face-to-face tutored RYA course is intended for anyone wishing to safely skipper a sailing or powered craft commercially or for leisure. This is an advanced navigation course and you will need knowledge of navigation theory to Day Skipper level, or experience of navigating and managing your own vessel. You should expect to spend around 40 hours covering theory of navigation, meteorology, practical techniques for navigation, pilotage and planning for safe passages. Including fixing position, magnetic compass, tides, buoyage, lights, and pilotage. 

The course includes all the theory to progress to the practical examination for the RYA Coastal Skipper or RYA Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore Certificates of Competency. 

☎️ 01736 364 324 📧 info@seafoodcornwalltraining.co.uk

Much fish on the market this Monday morning!

Somewhat calmer than yesterday...

with the market end-to-end with fish after a week of fine weather...

and the netting fleet all at sea making hake landings from Silver Dawn snapped up by legendary Newlyn fish merchants, James'...

while the Ygraine...

Ocean Pride...

and Stelissa...

some Smart buying here...

line caught bass...

and plenty of flats...

and monk tails  from the Enterprise...

can't imagine the guys were too happy on the Ocean pride seeing this many dogs coming over the hauler...

but they sold anyway...

even the Guardian had just about every shark going in her trip...

top quality tubs...

and more dogs...

a good box of bonito...

a some mixed inshore landings...

including some good sized blondes...

those jigging machines are beginning to come into their own..

the Nichola making a landing

 after hauling all the way through yesterday's weather south of Scilly...

heavy weather scours the shallow waters in the bay as can be seen from the seaweed all around the harbour...

reminds me of a certain film...

bro's and sisters...

fuel time...

well this wind-farm cat is never going to be at sea in the weather we saw yesterday with bay windows like that in the wheelhouse and down below!

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".