#FishyFriday the 13th in Newlyn, make your own luck in life!

The only ripples...

in an otherwise mirror-like harbour this morning...

while on the market several boats are hoping that Friday the 13th will see good prices for turbot...

with over 100 boxes up for auction from just two boats...

good supplies of fish don't stop there with ray...

and hake filling on end of the market tis morning...

sharks landed under special dispensation, the aptly named, spurdog...

along with the netters, several inshore trawlers made the best of the continuing fine weather...

 and landed good shots of quality inshore fish...

hen, cock and spider claws...

the one beam trawler to and kept supplies of megrim or 'merry sole' as they were known many years ago...

a handful of handliners pulled pollack from the deeps, while inshore mackerel are continuing to prove totally elusive...

weighing in with a trip of top quality MC Certified hake the netter Ygraine did her bit to keep restauranteurs and chefs all over the UK happy...

no bait, no crabs, the potting fleet are kept supplied by the activities of the trawl and beam trawl fleet...

who always manage to pick up a few of these slippery characters...

function over form, no-one is ever going to reminisce about the the classic lines of the wind farm fleet are they?..

or the swept stern on modern stern trawlers...

though the bow of the recently launched Orion has more pleasing lines...

for those entering Newlyn for the first time it is worth noting the number of buffs just off the gaps, take care not to foul your prop...

less than 'cat'-like curves.

 

Vessels of the Future Workshop

 

FIS hosted a ‘Vessels of the Future’ workshop in Glasgow, where we explored energy efficient measures relevant to Scottish fishing vessels. Participants from Scotland, the UK and as far afield as Norway and Canada came together to share their knowledge and experience, and discuss what alternative fuels, engines, designs, or other innovations are realistic in a Scottish context.

This workshop was a valuable first step towards ensuring the fishing industry’s perspective is included in wider discussions around reducing vessel emissions in the maritime sector. FIS believes that innovation is key to releasing untapped potential for greater prosperity and sustainability in Scotland’s seafood industry, and this workshop generated many ideas and discussions about innovative adaptations that are possible now or which might be possible in the near future.

The event built momentum and enthusiasm towards addressing the challenge of transforming the fishing industry to meet the low-carbon expectations of the modern world. Read the full workshop report below, which summarises the key points of discussion and next steps for the industry.

 

Exciting job opportunity with a local fishing fleet!

Local fishing fleet managers W Stevenson & Sons of Newlyn in Cornwall have an exciting job opportunity on offer.

Turbot time!

The annual chase for turbot began in earnest this morning...

 with a solid landing of prime fish...

destined for the finest restaurant tables - on average, turbot fetch the highest prices on Newlyn fish market...

overshadowing even these big John Dory...

or even spider crab claws...

caught handling red boxes, young Mr Smart...

tries to convince an unimpressed looking St Ives fisherman that he is not moving to pastures green or converting his fish store into an upmarket casino - just yet...

down the quay it is a sort of red...

white..

and blue.

 

Government launches Seafood Exports package to promote UK seafood

 Export package launched to promote world-class UK seafood overseas Government launches Seafood Exports package to promote UK seafood in new and existing markets overseas.

Seafood specialists will be deployed to boost global presence and identify new overseas buyers.

The UK Government has today announced a £1 million package to boost seafood exports and promote the industry’s high-quality produce overseas.

The package will target growing overseas markets and provide new export opportunities for the UK fishing industry and seafood sector following our departure from the European Union.

Global exports of UK seafood amounted to over £1.6 billion in 2021, with salmon the UK’s fourth top food and drink product exported in 2021, totalling around £730 million. The investment announced today will help grow seafood exports even further.


The Seafood Exports package will:

• identify new overseas buyers and connect them with UK seafood companies

• promote UK seafood at international events

• increase expertise on British seafood produce in our Embassies and Consulates overseas

Seafood specialists funded by the package will work closely with existing Agri-food and drink attachés who help broaden market access for UK businesses and resolve any technical barriers preventing businesses from reaching global markets. 

The specialists will bring vital insight to help address industry-specific challenges and offer a more tailored approach to promoting seafood in new and existing markets.

Fisheries Minister, Victoria Prentis, said:

We exported £1.6 billion worth of UK seafood in 2021 and we want this to increase. We are unlocking export opportunities in new markets around the world, and the £1 million we are announcing today will help seafood businesses across the UK take advantage of them.

Minister for Export, Mike Freer, said:

This funding will provide a real boost to businesses, particularly SMEs. It’s a genuine step change for current exporters, as well as those looking to access new seafood markets for the first time.

These new funds will strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in the sector and enable more countries than ever to enjoy Great British seafood.

The UK Government is committed to working with businesses to help them succeed in the global marketplace through a first-class export support framework that will support jobs and economic growth across the UK.

This includes recently co-hosting a UK Seafood Pavilion at the Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, providing an opportunity for some UK businesses to exhibit at the show for the first time, as well as bolstering support for businesses with an already-established presence at the show.

Hannah Thompson, Head of International Trade and UK Regions (West) at Seafish, said:

The seafood sector in the UK has had a tough couple of years with the pandemic and some of the challenges of leaving the EU. It was a pleasure to support seafood businesses to get back in front of their global customers at the world’s biggest seafood trade show in Barcelona last month. The UK pavilion was a huge success and this new funding will give the sector another boost to help it showcase the high quality and sustainable seafood that comes from our passionate seafood producers in the UK.

Louise Kelly, Director at Edwin Jenkinson Limited, said:

The opportunity and support given by Seafish, Defra and DIT during out first time as exhibitor at the Global Seafood show was invaluable. Visiting as an exhibitor allowed us to meet face to face with all potential new clients and really understand their businesses, allowing our rapport to grow faster. Only one week later we are already exporting to new markets and have many more prospective clients!

This package complements the wide range of export support the UK Government already provides for the UK’s world leading food industry. Food and drink is an important part of our Made in the UK and Great campaigns, supported by HM Trade Commissioners, Trade Envoys and Export Champions.

Background

The £1 million investment is the final part of the £100m UK Seafood Fund. The UK Seafood Fund also includes the £24m science and innovation scheme which is helping to enhance the sustainability of the sector through data collection, research and innovation; at least £65m available to improve infrastructure and strengthen supply chains; and up to £10m for skills and training to generate new jobs and up-skill fishermen.

IVMS latest news from the MMO

The MMO put out a bulletin regarding the take-up of IVMS units by the inshore fleet, it reads as follows:

 

We are pleased to announce that a quarter of I-VMS devices have been ordered by fishers from across the English inshore fleet. We would like to thank everyone who has already chosen, purchased and arranged installation of your preferred type-approved device.

There are a number of fishers who are yet to start the process, and we are keen to work with you to help you choose, order, arrange installation, and claim your grant funding to cover costs.

• Our goal is for the entire inshore fishing fleet to be I-VMS equipped and ready by the end of the year as legally required.

• We have the following support already in place to help our inshore fleet with the I-VMS process

• Our coastal teams are engaging directly with fishers on quaysides and harbours around the coast.

• Our trained colleagues have been listening and helping fishers on our dedicated I-VMS enquiry line: 01900 508 618.

• We have set up a dedicated email address for all I-VMS related enquiries: ivms@marinemanagement.org.uk

• Our grants team have a dedicated phone line to help you with putting in your application for grant funding: 0330 0416579

• Grant support can also be provided over email too: UKFisheriesSupport@marinemanagement.org.uk

• We have worked out through our data where orders and installations are lower than expected and sent targeted information to these areas. 

Future events and activities

We have produced printed materials to help fishers with the purchase of devices and the application of grant funding.

You should see these appearing in coastal offices and events very soon, with our coastal teams welcoming colleagues from the I-VMS engagement team to help reach out to industry Regional Fisheries Group meetings are taking place over May and June in the following locations:

• North West 7.a – Tuesday, 10 May 15:00 – 18:00 – Whitehaven (Summergrove Halls, CA28 8XZ)

• North East 4.b – Tuesday, 17 May 15:00 – 18:00 – North Shields (venue tbc)

• South East 4.c – Tuesday, 24 May 15:00 – 18:00 – Ipswich (venue tbc)

• South 7.d – Tuesday, 31 May 15:00 – 18:00 – Brighton (venue tbc)

• South West 7.efg – Tuesday, 14 June 15:00 – 18:00 – Plymouth (Future Inn Plymouth, PL6 5ZD)

We invite you to attend these meetings to learn more about the I-VMS program and share your own concerns or issues We will follow up and contact individuals directly to talk over any concerns that you may have and provide support and advice

The I-VMS project rollout has been challenging for some, but it’s also providing the English inshore fleet with a fantastic opportunity to protect and promote the future interests of the industry.

We want to reassure fishers that we are listening to you. We are liaising with suppliers on delivery or installation delays and working with industry on tranche dates to help manage the supply and demand for device purchase and installation across the fleet.

We would encourage every fisher and every vessel is fully I-VMS equipped and ready as soon as possible.

Please keep talking to us and help us to help you.

I-VMS Update - May 2022 Posted by:Sean Douglas, Head of Enforcement,

First #FishyFriday in May.

With the wind nowhere near where it should be at this time of year mackerel are keeping their heads down and in short supply...

though pollack don't seem too bothered...

Brackan is chasing those big John Dory again...

head-on monk landed...

they look good enough to eat raw...

foie gras anyone?..

there's quality inshore trawlfish for you...

along with a fine selection of gurnard...

slippery customers...

dinner pate sized turbot...

utterly delicious weavers going to a restaurant near you, of you're lucky - maybe head Port Isaac way...

pristine pollack tail...

and heads...

inshore trawl monk tails...

a few of the handliners are catching the odd bass...

fuel and ice time for visiting inshore trawler Harvey Grace...

not much by way of harbour news it seems...

check the height...

and pull hard, it's all in the timing to land the cod-end on the quayside...

fresh water supply...

the old fleet provide safe berths for the visiting inshore boats...

there's Scot in the fleet...

the number of passing yachts on passage grows by the day...

 two-tier net drums on the Girl Deborah from Brixham.