Scottish fishermen celebrate bright future for the ‘small but mighty’ North Sea herring

The iconic North Sea herring fishery is this year celebrating 20 years of certification to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Standard for sustainable fishing.

To mark the occasion the MSC has produced ‘Small but Mighty’– a film featuring North Sea herring fishermen, processors and partners across the UK, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands. Since 2019 they, together with other nations, have been working closely under one MSC certificate to ensure North Sea herring can continue to be enjoyed by seafood lovers for generations to come.

The film’s release comes as the 2026 herring season gets underway in the North Sea, with annual celebrations taking place across northern Europe including the Vlaggetjesdag (Flag Day) festival in the Netherlands, which celebrates the arrival of the new season’s herring while UK smokehouses from Lowestoft to Stornoway will be preparing with anticipation to turn the new season’s catch into the world-famous ‘kippers’. And the MSC along with their fishery partners are encouraging everyone to celebrate and enjoy this fantastic sustainable species this year and beyond.

George Clark, MSC UK & Ireland Programme Director, says: “North Sea herring is a powerful example of what can be achieved when nations, fisheries and supply chain partners work together towards a shared long-term goal. At a time when fisheries are facing increasing pressure from climate change and growing global demand for seafood, this kind of international cooperation is essential to protecting healthy oceans and securing sustainable seafood for the future.”

“MSC’s new film, Small but Mighty, features fishermen and partners from Scotland, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands and elsewhere, all united by a shared commitment to securing a healthy future for this centuries-old fishery,” he added.

Scottish skipper Adam Wiseman says in the film: “Herring are very small, but mighty in taste and they’re plentiful in the North Sea so it’s a good, healthy fish to eat, for sure. The sustainable part for us is important. We are fully focused on protecting what we have. We want there to be fish for the future.”

In December 2025, Norway, the European Union, and the UK agreed to jointly manage quotas under a new long-term management strategy to safeguard stocks, in a demonstration of continued international cooperation. The negotiations also yielded a fishing first as the three parties signed up to a long-term management plan for North Sea herring. MSC certification is also held by several other countries across this and other certificates, including Poland, France, Germany, Lithuania, Northern Ireland and Norway.

Sophisticated sonar equipment, smart nets and rigorous measuring of their catch are just some of the measures the fisheries’ vessels employ to maintain healthy stocks and minimise bycatch.

Major retailers like Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, ASDA and Lidl are among those sourcing and selling MSC labelled North Sea herring in various forms including canned staples, marinated fillets and traditionally smoked kippers, showcasing its versatility.

The film is available to watch here: Small but Mighty - North Sea herring.

Misty mizzly Monday morning in Newlyn.

Signs that sardines will soon be sizzling on BBQs up and down the country as the boats take it in turn coming up on the hard for a bottom scrub and below the waterline check for anode wear...

another landing of octopus looks on the cards as he Sparkling Line heads for the iceworks berth...

just the netter Ajax landing hake...

to a busy auction floor...

along with the Britanna V...

this tope is too big for the box...

and a sample of common shellfish landed eery day in Newlyn, spider crab, brown crab, crawfish and lobster...

while there were plenty of monk tails from the Stelissa...

sme cracking red bream from the Claude Henry...

and plenty of smoothhounds and dogs to spoil  the party for tyhe netter...

no surprises that ther western end of the market was chocker with octopus...

and an unequivocal message for them not to be left in the fridge!...

good to see a few more of these in the fridge though...

along with the king of sustainable fishing, Mr Smith who only fishes with lines aboard the Maverick...

as does the rather unusually named, Whitby registered, Chutney, tyhere must be a good story behind that one...

a welcome sight, brown crab and lobster coming ashore again...

landing time for the Southern Spirit...

landing craft IoS Steamship's inter-island freight boat, Gugh...

Asthore ahead...

a quick tow job for Jeremy...

bringing in the survey boat, Spectrum 1...

while the local workboat Overbargh prepares for another day working on the replacement of quay fenders.

Breaking: Cornwall Imposes Emergency Octopus Fishing Ban to Protect Shellfish Stocks

Cornwall’s coastal waters are seeing a massive shake-up. In a decisive 9-to-5 vote at Truro’s County Hall, the Cornwall Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority (IFCA) approved an emergency bylaw imposing immediate restrictions on octopus fishing within six miles of the Cornish coast.

The goal? Protecting dwindling crab and lobster populations from an unprecedented octopus boom—and keeping smaller, local fishing boats viable.

The Breakdown: What is the New Rule?

The emergency bylaw targets larger commercial vessels that have recently switched from crab and lobster to fishing for octopus in Cornish waters.

• The Restriction: Multi-hull vessels over 10 metres long and mono-hull vessels over 12 metres long are now prohibited from using pots to fish for octopus within the six-mile Cornwall IFCA district.

• The Timeline: Affected vessels must move their pots out of the zone by July 1, 2026.

• Duration: The ban will remain in place for one full year, subject to continuous review and potential six-month extensions.

Note: This will not affect the vast majority of local fishers. Around 75% of the vessels operating in the district are under 10 metres and are exempt from the ban.

Why the Rush? The Great Octopus Boom of 2026

If you’ve noticed a lot more octopus on the radar lately, you aren’t alone. The South West coast is currently experiencing a dramatic population bloom of the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris). This is a rare ecological event—only four major blooms have been recorded in the past 125 years, and this one is shaping up to be the largest yet.

While a booming marine population sounds like a win, it has created a nightmare for Cornwall’s traditional shellfish industry.

The Crustacean Crisis

Octopuses are strict, voracious carnivores, and their favourite snacks are crabs and lobsters. According to a recent report by Plymouth researchers, the influx of these eight-legged predators has caused catch rates for brown crabs, lobsters, and scallops to plummet by 30% to 50% as they feast on lobsters and and crab caught in pots.

While some fishers initially benefited from pivoting to catch octopus, over half of those surveyed reported a severe net negative impact on their livelihoods due to the collapse of traditional shellfish stocks.

Industry Reaction: A Tale of Two Fleets

The Inshore Perspective

Supporters argue the ban protects the narrow strip of coastal water that smaller boats rely on to make a living. Andrew Pascoe, a fisherman from Newlyn, expressed his relief to ITV West Country:

"I think it's the right way to go, to take that precautionary approach. Without that immediate regulation being brought in, we could see an influx of thousands and thousands of pots, which would be detrimental to the shellfish stocks."

He also noted that larger offshore boats have already had a highly successful season further out. "They've 'had their slice of the cake' in their words," he added. "And it's time for the inshore vessels to have their slice."

The Offshore & Opposing View

Not everyone is on board. Some fishers at the meeting opposed the plans, questioning whether there was enough hard data to justify the ban and expressing skepticism over whether it would actually save the crab populations.

However, the IFCA pointed out that larger vessels have the durability to fish 30 to 40 miles offshore, where octopus are still plentiful, meaning they aren't being cut off from the catch entirely.

What’s Next?

While the Cornwall IFCA has passed the vote, the emergency bylaw still requires a final sign-off from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

As Sam Davis from the Cornwall IFCA noted, this is a stepping stone toward a broader conversation about marine management. The priority right now is safeguarding crabs and lobsters, but the long-term goal is ensuring Cornwall’s waters can sustainably support both the marine ecosystem and the fishing businesses that depend on it.

Is the precautionary approach the right move for Cornish waters? Give your thoughts in the comments below.

Catch of the Day: Newlyn Fish Market Weekly Report

Here the landings and prices at the Newlyn Fish Market. This week saw big shifts in both catch volumes and market values, driven by changing fleet activities and early June Cornish weather patterns.

Monday, June 8th

The week started exceptionally strong with excellent abundance across the market floor, representing the highest volume day of the week.

Total Weight Landed: 26,560 kg Total Market Value: £135,000 Overall Average Price: £5.10/kg

Top Species Highlights: Mediterranean Octopus (Pot Caught): 19,783 kg landed, generating £90,214 at an average of £4.56/kg Dover Sole: 898 kg landed, at£18,595 with a strong average of £20.71/kg Monkfish tails: 751 kg landed, valued at £9,020.74 (Average: £12.01/kg) Lemon Sole: 819.00 kg landed, totaling £3,717.09 (Average: £4.54/kg) Red Mullet: 140.44 kg landed, bringing in £1,797.69 (Average: £12.80/kg)

Tuesday, June 9th

Landings experienced a sharp mid-week drop as initial weather changes swept across the coast, reducing the overall volume on the market.

Total Weight Landed: 13,713.91 kg Total Market Value: £63,833.45 Overall Average Price: £4.65/kg

Top Species Highlights: Mediterranean Octopus (Pot Caught): 13,262.20 kg landed, valued at £60,531.15 (Average: £4.56/kg) Blonde Ray Wings: 210.27 kg landed, valued at £1,179.38 (Average: £5.61/kg) Turbot: 46.84 kg landed, bringing a high average of £23.20/kg for a total of £1,086.83 Spider Claws: 97.84 kg landed, totaling £277.05 (Average: £2.83/kg) Monkfish (Monk or Anglers): 13.52 kg landed, valued at £204.08 (Average: £15.09/kg)

Wednesday, June 10th

Volumes dipped to their lowest point of the week on Wednesday, though prices remained highly competitive for premium prime fish.

Total Weight Landed: 10,214.04 kg Total Market Value: £49,992.52 Overall Average Price: £4.89/kg

Top Species Highlights: Mediterranean Octopus (Pot Caught): 9,617.46 kg landed, generating £43,409.79 (Average: £4.51/kg) Turbot: 61.40 kg landed, maintaining a high value of £1,568.70 (Average: £25.55/kg) Dover Sole: 56.12 kg landed, valued at £1,160.02 (Average: £20.67/kg) Monkfish (Monk or Anglers): 45.08 kg landed, bringing in £733.48 (Average: £16.27/kg) John Dory: 39.78 kg landed, fetching £649.86 (Average: £16.34/kg)

Thursday, June 11th

Despite worsening outdoor conditions, Thursday saw a powerful rebound in premium species landings. High demand drove the daily average price to its absolute peak for the week.

Total Weight Landed: 16,015.05 kg Total Market Value: £106,378.09 Overall Average Price: £6.64/kg

Top Species Highlights: Mediterranean Octopus (Pot Caught): 12,352.08 kg landed, valued at £56,454.11 (Average: £4.57/kg) Turbot: A massive surge of 744.40 kg landed, generating a stellar £19,686.84 at an average of £26.44/kg Monkfish (Monk or Anglers): Fantastic volume with 1,037.45 kg landed, valued at £16,132.01 (Average: £15.55/kg) John Dory: 150.89 kg landed, bringing in £2,718.29 (Average: £18.02/kg) Pollack (Lythe): 284.05 kg landed, totaling £2,421.93 (Average: £8.53/kg)

Foggy #FishyFriday in Newlyn

Dawn patrol...

just the Ygraine landed hake along with the Silver Dawn...

though mixed in were these spiny things...

a veritable plague on the netters at times...

just the one mackerel on the market this morning...

while monk tails...

turbot...

Dovers...

red mullet...

and megrims made up the bulk of the quality fish landed for the weekend...

though there were still plenty of these guys...

and just the normal sort of quantity of common octopus which was all the market ever saw before the Mediterranean invasion arrived...

the latest boat, Boy Noah to join the fleet lands a tub of eight-leggers...

the two big boys went head-to-head this morning...

a young checks out the new quayside protection, now in its final fitting stages...

and watched from below...

and above...

the Mount takes on all the mystery of Arthurian legend in the mist, half expecting a hand to raise a sword from the sea!

 

Rose of Nevada Screens in Newlyn

The turnout for Mark Jenkin’s Rose of Nevada at the Newlyn Filmhouse couldn’t have been better. The movie was shown in the fishing town Newlyn, where Jenkin is from. The director took part in a Q&A after and knew almost every person there, with the director hailing the town as being the best in the world.

Fishing Is Deeply Rooted in Britain’s Identity

For centuries, fishing has had a huge role to play in Britain’s economy. The UK seafood industry supports jobs in coastal communities, and recreational angling is one of the most popular sports in Britain.

As the UK has 11,000 miles of coastline, fishing continues to connect people to the sea. Documentaries like Trawlermen: Hunting the Catch and BBC’s Fish Town also document the lives of harbour workers and trawlermen. The United Anglers Podcast is also very popular, with its discussions about carp fishing.

Even those who play online casino games will know what a big theme fishing is, with titles like Big Bass Splash and Fishin’ Frenzy: Lure ‘Em In. Titles like this showcase different species of fish, as well as buckets of chum, fishing lines and lures, showing the skill that comes with fishing and the different approaches that are required but in a fun and entertaining format.

Examples like this show how much of a part fishing has to play in our economy and how our fascination with it is stronger than ever before.

The Plot of Rose of Nevada

The plot for Rose of Nevada reflects the screening location of Cornwall quite well. The tale is about a Cornish fishing boat that somehow manages to slip through time, with reviews from the initial screening coming in as excellent.

The film has also since made an appearance in the magazine, Sight and Sound. Rose of Nevada was also shot entirely in Cornwall, in the harbour of Hayle, and in Mullion to the south. The fishing boat is actually a working vessel and was hired for the shoot.

When there was a break in the filming schedule, or during the day, people would take the boat out and do some fishing with it, showing how incredible the story is and how rooted it is in British culture.

This isn’t the first fishing epic that Jenkin has worked on either. He’s also done some work on his Bafta-winning movie, Bait. This movie examined the tensions that are present in the UK fishing sector, and movies like Emys Men, which is also set in England, reflect Jenkin’s love for the area of Cornwall.

Stories like Rose of Nevada show how the coast is more relevant than ever and how important the UK fishing industry is to the economy. Not only do movies like this help to bring attention to fishing, they also lean into a cultural shift, which is one of the reasons why the film is gaining so much appeal right now.

The movie, Rose of Nevada, is currently being shown at different cinemas, including the Showroom Workstation in Sheffield and Hyde Park Picture House in Leeds.

Story courtesy of Jonathon at Anglotopia

World Oceans Day - life in the North Atlantic

Here's just a sample of the diversity of life that depends on the North Atlantic Ocean

It's not just fishermen who go out to sea to fish, the gannet does too...

chasing small fish..

that get chased by big fish...

while these guys chase anything in a shell...

like lobsters...

while seals prefer anything with a big juicy liver....

not like these spider crabs...

there are those who go to sea on big boats...

and those who fish alone on small boats...

but at the end of the day. it is the ocean that calls the shots and has the final say.