Kessenuma - a port and community almost entirely dependent on fish.

As the intial shockwaves, both literal and figurative, subside in the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake, fishing ports like Kessenuma look to the future in an uncertain climate. If ports like Newlyn consider themselves big and important in relation to the GDP of Cornwall, consider the part played by Kessenuma - home to 68,00 residents of which 25,000 work in the fishing industry - the one port alone considerably bigger than the entire UK fishing industry, both shore and sea side!

Morning light.

 Another warm morning........

that looks cooler to the West.

Lady Maureen is in the harbour.

Closer to home, the Brixham beamer Lady Maureen has just entered the harbour and looks to be taking a berth on the end of the New Quay to land.

Good reception for VesselTracker's AIS.

Clear skies and a Northerly breeze constitute ideal reception conditions for AIS signals in the Western Approaches.

Top tide.

Despite little wind there's a heavy swell in the Bay at the top of the big equinoxial tide.........

and big monks don't come much bigger than this guy, from a sandy bottom judging by his light skin colour......

somehow, the market appears to have lost one of its up and over doors, just as well no one was underneath at the time.......

good morning light for the camera.........

evicence of more damage on harbour property.......

smoko time.........

plenty of trade for the FalFish wagons to pick up........

latest show at the Newlyn Orion Gallery, Roger Hilton Passmore Edwards Centennial and Jack Doherty ceramics to view.........

top o' the tide.........

some shiny new kit on the Cornish Ice Company's machine........

end of the bloomin' daffs is nigh........

tiz messy down the quay thsi morning, Royden will not be pleased with the gull population........

cow in the road........

cockerel in the sky.......

and a visitor from Padstow, the Fiona Mary........

the Scillonian is now out and about ready for the new Summer season sailings to Scily.

Tickets please!

More good news! - funding for the Under 16.5m skipper's ticket - which effectively means that every boat over 10m must be at sea under the command of a qualified skipper - has been extended till the end of June now.


See Seafood Cornwall Training Ltd for more information or speak to Sarah crosbie on 44 (0) 1736 364324 

Kessenuma - life blood drained out of the shark fin fishing capital of Japan.

Decimated by the tsunami that struck the North east coast of japan, Kessenuma, the port reckoned to priviode over 90% of shark fins for up-market restaurants in Japan, will take years to return to its former 'glory' - if ever.

This article appreared in the Guardian only a few weeks ago following the interest in fishing exclusively for sharks solely for the purpose of keeping their fins was highlightd by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's FishFight series on Channel 4.

Today, the port looks like this with dozens of ships, mainly fishing boats left high and dry in what was the town centre.

Photo coutresy of AP.