Steam's up at Swanage Railway's Autumn gala.

One of the original band of enthusiast engineers proudly showing a photograph of the Stanier 8F 48624 as she was when rescued from a Barry scrapyard in South Wales in 1981...

the locomotive, now in her original black livery and sporting the 'skinny lion' British Rail logo on her tender leaves the end of the line at Swanage station...

and reverses back to pick up the carriages to make the last run of the day to Corfe...

not before taking on fresh supplies of water...

great to see both old and new, younger volunteers on the line...

working on the entire range of jobs needed to keep...

the trains steaming on the Swanage Railway that will soon be linked directly to the mainline track for the first time since the line was closed after Beeching's cuts in 1972 when the six and a half miles of track were ripped up in six weeks - the restoration project, started in 1976 took 30 years to replace them...

visitors get to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells that evoke such strong memories of steam railways...

just as Swanage Bay gets to enjoy some superb autumnal light...

highlighting the continuing mammoth building task being undertaken to re-build the local RNLI lifeboat station...

days of easterly breeze have piled weed several feet high on the beach, all of which will be taken away and used by local farms...

visitors get to enjoy the pier in the evening light...

looking back towards Old Harry rocks and a display of huge cumulus cloud formations caught by the sun's rays.

Ensuring better control of the EU’s external fishing fleet

Need for a public database on the EU's External Fleet Regulation.




Learn more: NGO Factsheet: Need for a public database on the EU's External Fleet Regulation

The legal framework governing the activities of the European external fishing fleet is a crucial part of the fight against IUU fishing and is currently being revised. A robust new external fishing fleet regulation will bring it in line with the CFP and the EU's global policies to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing, representing a major step forward in improving international fisheries governance.

A proposal for a new regulation governing the EU's external fishing fleet was released in December 2015 and is currently being considered by the European Council and Parliament. It will be voted on November 9th in the EU’s PECH Committee. Th revision of the EU's external fishing fleet regulation is a critical opportunity to ensure that all of the EU's vessels, whether operating within or outside EU waters, are subject to common standards and requirements in line with the CFP and the EU's global policies.This will make competition fair and secure more transparent, accountable and sustainable fisheries practice.

The proposal includes the establishment of a register containing information on authorisations for EU fishing activities in non-EU waters. The proposed register would make the following key information available to the public, whilt at the same time ensuring confidentiality of commercial data:

• the name and flag of the vessel
• the type of authorisation under which the vessel operates; and
• the authorised time and zone of fishing activity

The proposed register of external fishing authorisation would represent a major step forward in improving inttrnational fisheries governance. It would also enable the EU to demonstrate a global leadership on transparency and accountability within its fishing sector.

Innovation - “The best way to get something done is to tell a fisherman it can’t be done.”

“The best way to get something done is to tell a fisherman it can’t be done.”
so says Bob Dooley, veteran fisherman and industry leader.

This was the reason a two day conference on gear modification through innovation was convened according recently Oregon, USA where fishermen face exactly the same issues through restrictions on fishing effort as we do in the UK.

With support from a Saltonstall-Kennedy grant and the Packard Foundation, EDF’s Pacific team joined with an all-star Steering Committee this month to convene a Gear Modification Workshop in Newport, Oregon. More than 70 fishermen from the West Coast and Alaska, along with scientists, net manufacturers, fishery managers, electronics experts, NGO representatives and others came together for two very enjoyable days of intensive information sharing.

The West Coast groundfish trawl fishery is a laboratory of gear innovation these days because the catch share management system requires fishermen to account for every fish caught. Having operated under catch share systems for many years, Alaska fishermen and researchers brought their experiences to bear. Since unwanted or undersized fish count against a fisherman’s overall quota, the incentive to “fish clean” is much higher than in less-accountable fisheries. Fishermen are deploying underwater cameras and working with net manufacturers to design nets that fish more selectively, reduce bottom impact and save on fuel costs. Likewise, Alaska fishermen and researchers have long been leaders in gear innovation, and they brought their perspectives and expertise to share with their West Coast counterparts.

“It’s workshops like this that are allowing fishermen and other innovators to really spread the word about all the efforts we’re making out on the water to make a difference.”–Steve Fitz, F/V Mister Morgan

In one presentation, Giuseppe (Joe) Penissi of Monterey described the remarkable success he has had in modifying his trawl to release non-marketable juvenile fish, and fellow fisherman Steve Fitz was impressed. “I keep going back to what Joe’s doing, because his example today was perfect. He witnessed 40,000 pounds of fish move through his net and he kept 4,700 pounds, so what more could you ask for? That was 100% sustainable, marketable fish. That’s just a real win-win situation.”

Sara Skamser, owner of Foulweather Trawl, has been listening to fishermen and refining trawl designs for years. But not just fishermen. “In these changing times in fisheries, in modernizing the fleet, there’s a lot of partners besides ourselves that we work with. We work with scientists to quantify ideas that we have; they can go out and test it and tell us if it’s working. We work with EDF, with all kinds of people that have helped the fishermen understand the economic value of their fish, how to capitalize and get the most out of everything they’re bringing in from the ocean.”

Over the two days workshop participants discussed trawl-door spread, angle of attack, new materials for net design and a variety of other arcane topics, but in essence they were discussing the “half glass empty/half glass full” tensions that are created when fishermen are eager to innovate for efficiency and profitability, but must do so within the strictures posed by a slow-to-adapt overall management structure.

“The gear innovation that’s going on, all these changes, are really aided by this individual quota catch share program,” said Bob Dooley, veteran fisherman and industry leader. “When the currency of the fishery was catch all you can as quick as you can before somebody else shuts the fishery down, we didn’t have time to do this stuff.”

Although Bob Dooley’s comments reflected the positive overall vibe of the workshop, fisheries leader Heather Mann addressed the many longstanding problems with management of the West Coast groundfish fishery, including escalating costs and a Council process that requires years to resolve even non-controversial issues. “How do you innovate under that?” she asked. “How do you innovate when you operate in a bureaucratic morass that moves at a glacial pace? Until we fix some of these fundamental problems…we’re in an adapt-to-survive mode instead of an adapt-and thrive-mode.”

But on-the-water solutions to improve efficiency and profitability were the focus of the discussions. Some of them were downright futuristic, but low cost/low tech also had its place. Steve Fitz described his DIY GoPro system that rivals many more expensive designs. “I’m beginning to learn and understand things that I’ve only been able to assume were going on 600 feet below me, and now I’m able to get some visual evidence and adapt to it and make changes for the better.”


"I know this is the first time something like this has been done, but I think the response to this has been incredibly positive on a whole lot of levels.” – Carwyn Hammond, NOAA Research Fisheries Biologist

Overall, the workshop was a great way to “un-silo” information and spread the word about innovations that help fishermen be more efficient and profitable while reducing fuel costs, seafloor impacts and bycatch. Many attendees expressed the hope that we will develop more workshops in the future, and we certainly intend to do so. As the near-legendary net builder Sara Skamser said, “…the ideas bouncing around here are all just, wow! It’s been a perfect first step towards collaboration within the industry.”

Final #FishyFriday of #SeaFoodWeek!

Big trips from big boats...

more than enough to keep the buyers bust this morning...

with a good run of large lemons...

John Dory...

megrim sole...

Dover sole...

sometime stacked three boxes high...

and the odd cuttle...

name this finest of #FishyFriday fish...

just checking...

at the other end of the market the netter Charisma landed a good shot of hake...

showing off their fine set of teeth...

and the boat caught a handful of the very rare Australian cousin to the indigenous Cornish sardine...

is for Fish...

always look on the white side of life...

or turbot in this case, perfect size for a fine-dining dinner plate...

not a scale missing on the ruby-red mullet...

its a kind of beardy thing going on with the ling...

most of the netter fleet are either back in port or heading for home at the end of the neap tide...

looks like a few hours work for sardine man Dan and the boys today...

big beamers between trips...

there's a;ways jobs to be done on the netters...

skipper Tristan aboard the Silver Dawn, back from his latest landing in Guilvinec...

queued up waiting for their loads of fish...

according to every fisherman that ever was.

Calling all South West Fishermen - Fishing for Leave - Brexit and you!

Fishing For Leave will continue campaigning to make sure Brexit means Brexit for the fishing industry.

This is a campaign run by fishermen for fishermen and they are determined all voices are heard as we withdraw from the EU and reclaim British territorial waters and sensible policy for those at the forefront.  

The meeting on Monday 17th October is for ALL SW fishermen and anyone else connected to, or in support of the industry. So far, we have skippers and fishermen attending from Newlyn, Meva, Padstow, Brixham, Looe (and hopefully others) with the objective to to gather together policy ideas, regulation issues and what British fishermen want the future of British fishing to be once we’ve left the EU.

Aaron Brown, founder of FFL and organiser of the Thames flotilla is travelling to every port to meet with as many fishermen as possible before talks begin in December so that the industry itself decides, and officially submits, what terms and what policy works for them. Ideally we want representation from each Cornish harbour as this will send a positive message of solidarity to the media (as well as seeing old friends).

Talks should begin with absolute clarity that control of a 200nm radius, as stated by international law, belongs to the UK and any concessions are unacceptable. We are hoping for a good turnout of fishermen and supporters of their communities so that we get decent coverage and keep momentum going for you from there. 

Look forward to seeing you all, and here’s hoping our campaigning secures a brighter future for all in the industry.


With regards,

Deborah Cowley
Fisheries Researcher and Campaigner

Further information and any questions please contact:

deborah.cowley@gmail.com or phone on 07534 750107

Mid week fish auction and harbour news

Some name their boat to reflect the mood of the sea, others after their children or evoke the presence of a higher being, others tell it as it is...

old nautical saying, "everything in its place and a place for everything" - the harbour's new rack storage system should keep things in order...

the chances of a heavy shower is never present this week...

WSS heads out through the gaps...

while Wednesday morning's market sees but a handful of boxes mostly from two inshore trawlers who braved a very fresh day...

given Lionel a chance to tell it as it is...

top quality ray...

mackerel...

and Roger's pet species, John Dory...

all put a smile on the buyer's faces...

before the auction was wrapped up by 6:45am...

the quay busy enough with several of the beam trawl fleet between trips or undergoing repairs...

Smart moves...

a string of pots ready fore the off...

on one of those mornings that will make most people reach for a brolly on the way out the dfoor...

as the lights of Newlyn give way to the morning sun.