Will the CFPO get what it wants from the new Government?

In the run-up to the General Election the Cornish Fish Producer's Organisation offered a fishing manifesto to the winning party - will it be met? 

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!

Newlyn is home to new 2hr fast ferry service to the Scillys

The new fast ferry, which is set to transform travel by sea to the Isles of Scilly from Cornwall, arrived in Newlyn Harbour last evening following an eight-hour sailing from Portsmouth where it has been fitted out over the last couple of months. Following sea trials, she will start its eagerly awaited schedule between Penzance and St Mary’s early next week. 

Atlantic Wollf, which was named in a competition by students from Five Islands Academy on the Isle of Scilly, is 42 metres in length, 11.2 m in width and has a draft of 1.6m. She's made of aluminium with a high efficiency hull design leading to maximum fuel efficiency and minimum wake generation. 

With a maximum operating speed of 28 knots she is powered by 4 Caterpillar engines generating a total 2,984kW (or 4,000HP) powering 4 x Rolls Royce Kamewa waterjets – this not only offers good speeds but also great reliability.

Atlantic Wolff, is a high-speed catamaran with just over 400 seats over two decks and will be the fastest way to get to Scilly by sea with a crossing time of less than 2 hours. It’s expected to give a much-needed boost to the island’s economy as tourists looking for a day out take full advantage of the new service. Part of the Harland & Wolff Group, Scilly Ferries will have up to two return sailings a day between Penzance and St Mary’s and it’s anticipated the service will run as late into the autumn as the weather permits.  Next year, in a full season, the ferry will be operational between April and October. The vessel is designed with passenger comfort in mind. Light refreshments will be available on board. The new service will support local jobs and on-board advertising will showcase all than Scilly has to offer. 

More information can be seen here.

Looking ahead, Newlyn Harbour is currently developing plans to provide deep-water berths and much needed additional vessel servicing and infrastructure in order to cater for the growing number of larger visiting fishing and other vessels keen to maximise the potential ofits superior geographical locationin the Western Approaches.

Skipper wanted to run a 35ft crabber.

 

Skipper wanted to run a 35ft crabber. 

Day trips fishing out of Newlyn. Skippers ticket helpful but not a necessity although all other seagoing tickets are. Crabbing experience desirable but anyone with some good fishing experience, keen and reliable will be considered. 

Please direct message me with experience. Thanks

These mizzly Monday mornings don't get any better!

At least a small consolation is the lack of wind...

as ever, the market is chocker with quality fish, so smiles all round for all the lucky fish-fans out there, John Dory...

crawfish...

and plenty of hake...

there's even some scad to try, a tasty oily fish that doesn't often show up on fishmonger's counters...

more JDs...

there's no question what these are...

pristine turbot...

more hake...

and a good selection of ray, a fish that's great to introduce to the timorous eaters or kids as there are no bones to speak of...

all we need now is the sunshine to go with these new season sardines...

megrims, staple diet for the trawl fleet...

more JDs...

I can see Tom's face now when the cod-end appeared full of these guys...

scallops are landed in bags by the dozen...

more than tasty in a stew...

the mighty mackerel...

another fine fish grilled whole...

big squid, rare as hen's teeth these days with the big mesh sizes that trawlers now work...

brill, a must try if you like fleshy white flatfish...

the en passage yachts this year seem on average bigger than usual...

a beast of a fishing machine, Mollie May...

dredging beast, Lantic Bay...

a bevy of visiting inshore trawlers.

 

Six fish market auctions in Brittany harmonised.

 

The heart of the fishing industry in Brittany has taken a significant step forward with the recent completion of the modernisation of the region's fish auctions. Thanks to an ambitious project by the CCI Finistère, all outdated systems have been replaced by Aucxis with state-of-the-art technology.

 

The six fish auctions in Brittany (Audierne, Concarneau, Douarnenez, Le Guilvinec, Loctudy, and Saint-Guénolé), managed by the CCI Finistère, have undergone a significant modernisation. The upgrade to the advanced KOSMOS platform from Aucxis represents a revolutionary step forward for the fish auctions, now equipped with an ultra-modern and efficient sales infrastructure.

Point of departure and objectives

Modernising the fish auctions was crucial as the existing infrastructure no longer met contemporary standards. Centralised sales were not possible, various software technologies and equipment were outdated, and the operating systems were no longer capable of ensuring reliable and secure use. With the goal of replacing outdated hardware and software, the CCI Finistère issued a tender. Aucxis won the contract by offering a comprehensive solution, including the KOSMOS platform.

The modernisation project encompassed three pillars: reliability, modernisation, and virtualisation. This required replacing old systems with modern web technologies and creating a centralised database to enable sales across multiple locations.

The challenges of standardisation

Six different auctions, each with its own working methods, needed to switch to a new, standardised system so that each buyer could make purchases in the same way at every auction. This included introducing a uniform clock speed and implementing the ascending clock sale principle across all sites.

Continuity

During the roll-out, the link between the old and new systems had to be maintained as much as possible to ensure the continuity of sales. The work was carried out early in the morning or in the evening to avoid disrupting sales.



Multi-project execution

The modernisation involved multiple projects at the six sites, carried out by different suppliers during the same period. Aucxis not only implemented the KOSMOS platform but also provided a lot of new equipment, such as stainless-steel supply terminals, LED panels for local clock displays, cameras, workstations, tablets, and Wi-Fi infrastructure. Other suppliers carried out construction work, installed new conveyor belts, etc.

External pressure

During the project’s execution, several challenging periods arose, characterized by pressure on the fishing sector, including the impact of Brexit, the energy crisis, and evolving European fisheries legislation.

 "It goes without saying that the planning was very complex. We are therefore very proud to report that, thanks to the close collaboration between Aucxis and the CCI Finistère, the centralised sale of all supply was successfully completed in March 2024. We explicitly want to thank the CCI Finistère team for their unwavering dedication and professionalism."

Steff Lyssens STEFF LYSSENS, ACCOUNT MANAGER

 

Comprehensive solution

In addition to the KOSMOS sales and information platform, a lot of new equipment was delivered to support the sales process, seamlessly integrated with the KOSMOS software:

25 mobile or fixed weighing terminals

1 specially designed terminal, type “wholesaler”

8 industrial LED panels (2m by 2m)

4 cameras

20 all-in desktop PCs

Industrial tablets

Wi-Fi antennas and controllers


The result

Thanks to the implementation of the KOSMOS platform and the integration of a lot of new equipment, the Breton auctions now boast an advanced auction infrastructure in which CCI Finistère’s objectives have been realised: a reliable auction system, a modernised sales process, uniform operation of the auctions, and the ability to sell the supply from the six auctions from any location.

Moreover, user convenience for buyers has significantly improved. Buyers can now purchase on multiple clocks simultaneously, both at the auction itself and remotely via desktop PCs, tablets, or smartphones. They can customise their screen layouts and create shortcuts to simplify the purchasing process. The platform also offers easy access to sales data and statistics, benefiting both buyers and suppliers.

The fully web-based KOSMOS platform provides a secure and future-proof sales infrastructure, guaranteed by the evolution contract.

Setting up a sales network for the six fish auctions of Brittany was a large and ambitious project, requiring a well-thought-out strategy for the complex transition. Discover in detail the many challenges, the integrated systems, the project progress, and the achieved result.