Big tides and very little fish on the market this Monday morning.

Not a fish box in sight...

with this morning's market almost devoid of fish save a trip from the beam trawler Twilight...

the buyers were in no rush to get away with some meagre purchases...

and instead sat and enjoyed the spectacle of the dawn sky over Newlyn...

with much of the fleet in the harbour...

over in the old quay the lugger Barnabas' masts picked out by the rising sun...

as the best part of the work to bring the medieval harbour is expected to be completed by the end of the week...

its's loading time for the barge taking building supplies to the Scillys continues...

with materials being delivered almost daily...

the jack-up rig Seafox-7 can enjoy a dry morning too.

First Deckhand Discovery Day at Brixham!

South West Fish Producers Taster Day at Brixham.

Recently, the swfpo hosted their very first Deckhand Discovery Day — and it certainly won’t be their last. The day was designed as a hands-on introduction to careers at sea and onshore within the fishing industry. Attendees followed the catch’s “journey” around Brixham Quay, moving between interactive stations to experience first-hand the wide range of career pathways the sector has to offer.

On the day, attendees:

stepped aboard working day boats to explore gear types, target species, trip planning and the realities (and rewards) of life at sea. Then went behind the scenes at Brixham Fish Market — one of England’s busiest fish markets — to see how landings are sorted, graded and sold through the fast-paced auction system, connecting local boats to buyers across the UK and abroad.

They also joined the Cefas team to learn about the observer programme, how scientific data supports fisheries management, and even age fish using their otoliths (tiny ear bones inside a fish’s head — skilled and a bit fiddly!). Then visited a local fish processor and wholesale merchant to understand what happens after the sale — from filleting and preparation to packing, logistics and exporting, it gave real insight into the shore-based careers that keep the supply chain moving.

Later the prospective trainees tried their hand at gear maintenance — net mending with Richard Fowler (a Brixham legend) and crab pots with @shellfishermen — seeing the craftsmanship behind working fishing gear...

and participated in practical demonstrations highlighting how vital safety training and equipment are in the sector.

They finished with time to network, ask questions and discuss next steps — from training pathways to potential sea trials. Despite a slightly dramatic weather forecast, the enthusiasm throughout the day made it a real success.

A HUGE thank you to everyone who helped make it happen!

To find out more about a career at sea head over to the SWFPO website.

Adult dolphin with very young pup delight onlookers in Newlyn on FishyFriday!

Things were pretty quiet on the market this morning...

with just a few inshore boxes and a short trip of beam trawl fish from the Billy Rowney

outside the market there was much more interest with the resident wildlife...

a feast of mealworms...

caused something of a frenzy for the turnstone population eager to get their share...

in the harbour the ex-longliner turned carbber Sparkling Star put in an appearance for the first time in many years...

while over in the oldest part of the harbour an adult and very small dolphin...

spent several hours...

crusing up and down...

much to the delight of those lucky enough to have spotted them - as a precaution, the strandings team were alerted but by the time they arrived the seemingly happy pair had made their way out through the gaps and away to sea.

Fish auction news for the week.

 

The mid-February period at Newlyn Fish Market has seen a consistent showing of high-grade landings, despite the typical winter volatility in the Western Approaches. Stevensons has overseen a week characterized by strong demand for prime flatfish and a notable abundance of inshore species.

While the early part of the week faced brisk, chilly conditions, the market floor remained active with a healthy mix of net-caught fish and beam trawl arrivals. The synergy between physical bidding and the digitally integrated auction continues to provide a robust platform for the fleet, ensuring that the premium quality of the Cornish catch is reflected in the final hammer prices.

Daily Highlights

Monday, 16th February

The week opened with a "Bass Bonanza." The market was dominated by silver, with superlative line and net-caught Bass arriving from the boats. Quality was exceptionally high, with firm-fleshed specimens commanding top-tier prices. Alongside the bass, a steady stream of Pollack and the now-regular "bloom" of Mediterranean Octopus provided plenty of variety for early buyers.

Tuesday, 17th February

A stronger showing from the beamers today. Prime Monkfish and Megrim were the standout features, with the likes of the Silver Dawn and Britannia V landing well-graded hauls. There was also a significant interest in Lemon Sole, with some of the larger grades reaching near-record prices as buyers competed for consistency.

Wednesday, 18th February

The mid-week auction saw a diverse mix of shellfish and prime whitefish. Squid from the punts looked particularly stunning, retaining their vibrant color and attracting interest from high-end metropolitan retailers. Hake landings were somewhat patchier than usual, but the quality of the fish from the Ajax and Ocean Pride ensured that what did reach the tiles was quickly snapped up.

Thursday, 19th February

A chilly start to the morning did little to dampen the atmosphere. The market featured a notable landing of John Dory and Red Mullet, adding a splash of color to the rows of boxes. Higher-than-average volume in Turbot and Brill rounded out a strong day for prime flatfish, with buyers noting the excellent condition of the fish despite the recent swell.

Rare visit to Newlyn.

 

Seen here heading for the gaps...

the St Brieuc registered Breton stern trawler, Le Providence who came in to take on extra ice...

during storms years ago, the harbour would often play host to nearly thirty Breton trawlers seeking shelter - since the average size of their boats increased by a few meters such visits have become almost non-existent! The number of boats in the Breton fleet has also decreased hugely compared to what was around back in the day.

REM in Practice - Helping to Secure a Sustainable Future for UK Fisheries

Last week saw a meeting which examined the strategic opportunities for implementing Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) onboard UK fishing vessels. As the industry faced an increasingly digital landscape, the discussion focused on how technology could enhance both operational efficiency and environmental stewardship.

While REM had previously been confined to various regional trials and pilot projects, the meeting highlighted its transition into a core regulatory fixture. At the time of the session, the technology was moving toward becoming a mandatory requirement for pelagic vessels in Scottish waters, with wider national implementation already in progress.

---

Key Areas of Focus

The session addressed the critical intersection of technology and commerce, specifically focusing on:

• Regulatory Transition: The shift from voluntary participation in trials to the upcoming mandatory requirements across the UK fleet.

• Traceability and Market Value: How REM data served to bolster seafood traceability, offering businesses a distinct advantage in markets that prioritised transparency.

• Industry Engagement: The importance of the UK seafood sector utilising this period to influence how digital systems were designed to support, rather than disrupt, business operations.

By convening key stakeholders, the meeting sought to ensure the UK seafood sector remained at the forefront of global innovation, turning technical compliance into a foundation for long-term sustainability.

The following speakers shared presentations:

Morning session: 

Strategic framing and operational lessons to date, 

Thinking on regulatory reform and working in collaboration, Mike Dowell, Defra

The operational case in Scotland: policy objectives, regulatory readiness, feedback loops for adaptive regulation and case studies, Ellen Huis, Scottish Government

The process of adopting REM for Denmark's fishermen and the experience of applying it in mixed fisheries, Jacob Handrup, Danish Fishers PO

UK industry perspective of applying REM in a mixed fishery, lessons learned and what's needed to make REM a success, David Stephens, Cornish fisherman

Afternoon session: 

Smarter science, trust and supply chain buy-in

Reducing bias: the benefits of full fleet coverage to industry, Dr Chris Brown, University of Tasmania

Who owns the data and making the right choice, Elinor Brett, Defra, and Rebecca Lamb, Cefas

A 'voice from the deck' as an early adopter of REM in the UK: reflections of risks and benefits for industry, Phil Haslam, North Atlantic Fishing Company

Weekend and Monday morning in pictures

End of the trip and it's time to empty the fishroom, all smiles from young Ryan...

as skipper Tristan swings the last of their hake ashore from the Silver Dawn...

the recent heavy ground sea and storm have further eroded the coast path at Sandy Cove revealing the underground utility supplies...

hake by the ton on Monday's market...

with good trips from the Silver Dawn...

Ajax...

Ocean Pride...

and Stelissa...

the year's first thresher shark...

it seems pollack is still abundant judging by recent landings...

red gurnard...

bream...

and mullet, all top quality fish...

while the beam trawler St Georges put ashore good supplies of quality flats like these lemons...

plaice...

and megrim sole...

inshore fish included these ray..

and some cracking brill...

while there is still no let up in the landings of octopus...

man on a mission...

there's a few cuttles being landed too but nothing like in previous years...

also high on the menu for octopus are scallops, another fishery that could be in real danger from the eight-legged marauders, time will tell later this year when the scallop season proper starts......

the inshore fridge was packed with fish but mostly overspill from trip boats...

there's always one on the lookout for an easy breakfast...

another fender nears completion, the heady aroma of creosote is thick in the air...

another visitor from afar, the Ullapool registered crabber, Amberlisa...

seen here with the lorry that delivered a fresh supply of pots...

she's bigger than most pot boats in the south west...

two very different cats in the harbour, the Mermaid runs wildlife tours, angling and bespoke trips from Newlyn.