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Tuesday 22 May 2018

Channel 4 news looks at the consequences of the UK's 'hostile environment' towards immigrant workers in the fishing industry.


A so-called hostile environment for non-EU workers is having a serious effect on the fishing industry in the UK.

The Government's immigration policy is making it impossible for trawler owners, particularly around Northern Ireland and Scotland, to recruit fishermen from countries outside Europe like Ghana and The Philippines.

Monday 21 May 2018

Monday morning's fish market in Newlyn.


Not a breath in the harbour this morning...



not too much growth below the waterline on the Sara Shaun...



it's a blue kind of day...



name that fish...



the market looks a good deal smarter these days...



'S' is for conger...



a smattering of John Dory for the inshore trawler Millennia...



along with a single bass...



and a few red mullet...



while the surest sign of summer is 37 boxes of John Dory from the trawls of the Imogen III...



don't stand too close Mr Smart, you might get zapped...



big Don landed a good shot of megrim soles...



along with plenty of monk and other quality flats...



all of which kept the buyers busy bidding...



name that fish...



plenty of pristine line caught pollack...



a few bass...



and the odd box of mackerel...



along with still more trap-caught cuttles...



kept both auctioneers busy...



big tub gurnards are more prevalent with the grounds the inshore trawlers work at this time of year...



while the small handliners are enjoying bumper pollack days...



in addition to the cuttle-traps...



still more pollack...



and even a box of snakes...



and superb red mullet...



with reactions to match prices...



kept the buyers on their toes...



a handful of hake...



blood is always a good indication of just how fresh the fish is being landed...



name this fish...



on reflection...



looks like time for a little light gardening on the harbour's granite steps...



where the carpet of weed growth...



would make a fine lawn...



and sets the boats of nicely...



portent of another fine day out to sea...



Unity and the Crystal Sea at rest...




just two of the boats that make up this morning's panoramic view of the Mary Williams pier...



the Govenek of Ladram at rest.

Friday 18 May 2018

It's a sunshiny #FishyFriday in Newlyn!




Resolute indeed, not content with a successful sardine season the boys on the smallest sardine boat in the fleet are spending their down time trammel netting for turbot and monk...


the net pound starboard side carries the nets while the stern takes buffs, tubs of buoy ropes and anchors...


#FishyFriday's market is full of the finest fresh Cornish fish...


like these stonking red mullet that wet fish shop champions like Rex Goldsmith, aka The Chelsea Fishmonger will no doubt be hoping his buyer will have put in a successful bid for him...


or maybe these superb whiting, perfect in a light batter...


or these lush lemons that make a perfect plate of piscine pleasure at any dinner party...


so much fish that both new sections were full...


there were even a handful of mackerel at eye-watering prices......


along with a good shot of JDs...


ray


and even a few kilos of line caught bass from the Storm Petrel...


weighing in with the big stuff the flagship of the Stevenson fleet signed off with a few boxes of prime turbot...


a fish with a huge mouth, not what a small fish wants to see before their world goes dark...


huge haddock...


thornback ray...


all succumbed to the nets of the Govenek of Ladram...


which made headline news yesterday when crew member Max Berriman managed to connect his leg with the open jaws of a porbeagle shark after it came over the hauler - good to see that the temporary treatment administered by Phil and his crew - disinfectant, superglue and tape - was later commended by the medics that treated the unfortunate crew...


not seen many of these lately, coley or blackjack...


fishing west of the Scillys the prawn boats always pick away a few witches...


along with big cod...


while the visiting trawler Diligent Jo made an excellent landing of JDs...


megrims in quantity however...


were down to the beam trawler landings...


with the buyers more than happy to keep the bidding brisk...


before comparing notes...


bringing some comfort, the new chill rooms and market space is being fitted out...


which will give the market much needed space...


seems everyone is taking notes...


as each buyer...


makes a note of not only what they pay for their fish...


but what their rivals do too...


on such sunny mornings...


the fish gets moved quickly on...


and the auction gets finished quick enough...


though that Godfather of punt fishing, Dennis Pascoe...


loads three boxes with trap caught cuttles..


and heads off to try and catch the morning sale...


numbered but not yet named...


not only does the  Sara Shaun sport her old trawls...


but a pair of swallows too...


no gap too tight for the Hop Oils driver...


alongside his new charge and having a word with Jackie back in Girvan...


Reul na Mara yet another Scottish visitor in Newlyn...


a rare visit to the North pier for the Karen-N.