Newlyn harbour post EU fisheries agreement announcement.

Gus Caslake from Seafish on the market this morning talking greater weaver and why the dorsal fins have been removed......

Newlyn is renowned for its diversity of fish, Couch's bream...

and those aforementioned Greater Weavers being but just two examples...

it takes two to tango...

they keep coming...

white fish from the visiting Scottish prawn trawlers made up a ig part of this morning's market offering...

a grader in action...

Newlyn is lucky enough to have Andy Reed, outgoing Fishing News editor, paying his first visit to the fish market as he puts together this year's 'Newlyn Special' feature - his final assignment before heading off on ventures anew - a big 'thank you' from the industry to Andy for such a sterling job over the years at the helm of the UK's only national weekly fishing trade paper, now in its 111th year!..

"it was this big!" says Nigel after a morning on the handline...

Barry and one of his mates, Sid the spider crab...

much of Newlyn shellfish is still exported to the EU - farmed salmon is now the biggest fish by weight of consumption in the UK, according to some, more than all other fish put together.

 

UK-EU Summit: Fisheries APPG to Meet to Scrutinise Fisheries and Related Deals

Historical context: Cornish and other Fishermen in the House of Commons demanding a 12 mile exclusive limit - in 1980!

 The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fisheries and will meet tomorrow 20 May to scrutinise all aspects of the UK-EU deal on fisheries, outlined today as part of the UK-EU Summit in London.

The APPG has been collating priorities for future UK-EU fishing arrangements since January, ahead of next year’s expiration of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement’s (TCA) adjustment period on fisheries. With the Government promising to secure the 'best possible outcome' for UK fishermen and women, the UK’s fishing industry was clear on their ask – that fishing would not again be made a totemic issue, to be traded against other areas.

As clearly set out in the APPG’s 2022 report, the original Brexit deal on fisheries was poorly perceived by industry for failing to live up to Government promises, quota gains that fell short of expectations, and continued access for EU vessels to UK waters. The impacts of that deal were felt at sea and on land.

From the perspective of the industry, the expiration of the adjustment period on fisheries presented an opportunity to rebalance what was felt as a poor deal on fisheries, with access to the UK’s rich waters a key point of leverage to achieving this. For businesses exporting to the EU, frictionless trade was cited as paramount. Safeguarding sustainable management of fisheries, including of non quotas species like scallops and crab were also cited as crucial.

Amidst confirmation of a twelve year deal on fisheries access, the APPG will be scrutinising the details of agreements announced today, and their implications for the long term sustainability of the UK’s fishing communities and fisheries, alongside the wider seafood sector.

As part of this, the APPG will be scrutinising the SPS deal which promises to reduce red tape for UK seafood businesses exporting to the EU and reopen key markets for live shellfish. APPG Members will also be pressing for details of supports to industry in the face of any agreed arrangements, including relating to the £360 million Fishing & Coastal Growth Fund announced today.

APPG Co-Chair Alistair Carmichael MP said, “A twelve year deal on fisheries indicates that fishing has once again been treated as a second class concern and is deeply disappointing. With the expiry of the fisheries deal adjustment period there was an opportunity to revisit and undo some of the difficulties of the Brexit deal.

"Indications that fishing has been traded for a deal in another area does a huge disservice again to the communities around our coasts. If there is a silver lining for fishermen it will be in easements for trade and stability for key export markets – but that is still far from the ‘sea of opportunity’ that was promised in the past. The APPG will be scrutinising the details and will continue to work in support of a viable future fishing industry.”

APPG Co-Chair Melanie Onn MP said, “The impact of Brexit has been significant for the UK’s fishing and seafood sectors – affecting fleets and also trade with the EU, our largest trading partner. I've seen this first hand in my own constituency of Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, where around 6000 livelihoods are supported by processing. We welcome the improved opportunities for trade with the EU that the SPS deal announced today will enable by making it easier for producers to sell British fish to our largest trading partner.

"While sadly weighed against other objectives time and again, the fishing and seafood sectors are vitally important all around the coast of this nation, providing livelihoods, sustaining families and communities. In the face of this, since 2020 the sector has continued to work to provide nutritious food to markets. With full details, the APPG will be meeting tomorrow to discuss an updated plan of work to support the continued efforts of the catching, processing and related sectors in this, and to safeguard the future for the UK’s fleets, seafood businesses, and coastal communities."

The Francesca TO80, an English fishing boat inspected in French waters, is docked in Brest

 

The Francesca TO80, an Cornish fishing vessel, is being held at the quayside in the commercial port of Brest, while the authorities decide on its fate.

The Francesca a British fishing vessel based in Newlyn, docked at the commercial port of Brest this Sunday morning, May 18, 2025. It was inspected in French fishing waters the day before. 

The British fishing vessel inspected off the island of Batz on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in French fishing waters, was directed towards the commercial port of Brest this Sunday at around 4:30 a.m. It is located at Quai de la Douane, in the fifth dock, a secure area. It is the Francesca TO 80, is registered in the port of Truro, in Cornwall, England.

Photo courtesy of David Cormier

The prefecture in Quimper is now taking over the case, and if it deems it necessary to pursue the matter, the Brest prosecutor's office will also take over. The maritime gendarmerie is investigating. The crew, including sailors from the Baltic countries and Russia, is being held in port.

Full story courtesy of Le Télégramme.

The NFFO is very disappointed with today’s deal and its impact on fishermen and their communities.

 The NFFO gave its opinion on today's announcement on Fishing.

"Giving the EU twelve years of guaranteed access to UK waters up to the six-mile inshore limit gives away the best card that we still had in our hand in fisheries discussions with Europe. This surrenders the best prospect that the fishing industry and coastal communities had for growth over the coming decade. We had reason to believe that our government understood the economic, symbolic and conservation value of reclaiming exclusive access for UK boats to our territorial waters within 12 miles of the coast. Clearly, however, they did not value such things as much as their European counterparts.

The Prime Minister and EU have claimed that the SPS agreement will benefit the UK fishing industry, in the form of boosted exports. It is true that it may help producers of farmed shellfish and salmon, as well as the biggest retailers and exporters, but it is very unlikely that any savings from reduced export costs will be passed down to the men and women who go to sea. If the Government has a plan to ensure these cost savings go down the supply chain, we are eager to hear it and happy to work with them on it.

Moving forward, the Government must work hard to rebuild trust in the fishing industry and in coastal communities, where fishing remains integral to their economy and identity. Many people in these communities will now think the Government does not care about them.

The Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund announced today sounds significant, but the devil will be in the detail. We need the Government to work closely with us, to ensure the money is actually spent in ways that directly benefit fishermen. There must be a long term plan to help fishing business to grow and coastal communities to thrive. Having given away our best tool for achieving that, the task will be harder now, but it is no less important.

The NFFO wants to continue working closely with the Government, for the benefit of our industry and the communities we support. With significant existential threats, including the rush to expand offshore wind farms onto productive fishing grounds, we have had nothing but bad news for too long. The Government must show that it cares for our sector and for people on the coast. Close and constructive collaboration on the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund and a national strategy on fishing would be a good start."

Here's another view from across the Channel https://eutoday.net/starmer-brussels-fishing-betrayal/

Newlyn - Plenty of fish and not a cloud in the sky

Newlyn's got the blues this Monday morning., not a cloud in the sky..

and there's plenty of fish on the market with another landing from the big fly-seiner with hake...

and red mullet a big feature...

along with a few monk...

signs of summer with JD landings increasing...

while seemingly every boat is landing Mediterranean octopus......

 unheard of in previous years...

they are so voracious they will eat one another when caught in pots...

a few plaice have huge orange spots...

Butts has been hard at work on the mackerel again, at this time of year his favourite fish to target, bass are feeding on very small sandeels and very hard to entice to take a lure...

a few zarts this morning...

which is how the skipper of the Crystal Sea would refer to what others call sea urchins, but then he's a St Ives boy.

 

Navigating the Waters: UK Bluefin Tuna Quotas and Fisheries for 2025

Good news for some!

Bluefin Tuna continues to be a keenly sought-after species in UK waters. For 2025, the UK has been allocated a total of 66.15 tonnes of quota. This allowance will be carefully managed across both commercial and recreational fishing sectors, with a strong emphasis on sustainable practices and regulatory compliance.

Commercial Fishery: A Controlled Opportunity

The UK will dedicate 45 tonnes of its BFT quota to continue the commercial fishery, specifically for vessels employing low-impact rod and reel gears. This commitment underscores a move towards environmentally conscious fishing methods.

Key details for the 2025 commercial BFT fishery include:

• Limited Access: Licence authorisations will be available for up to 15 vessels. This controlled number aims to ensure the fishery remains sustainable.
• Application Process: Access to these coveted spots was determined through an application process. We can confirm that this process is now complete, and 15 vessels have been notified of their success.
• Equal Share: The 45 tonnes of quota will be distributed equally among the successful applicants, resulting in each vessel receiving a 3-tonne quota.
• UK-Wide Eligibility, With Location Restrictions: Commercial fishing vessels from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland were eligible to apply. However, it's crucial to note that fishing for and landing BFT will not be permitted in Welsh or Northern Irish waters in 2025.
• Fishing Season: The fishery is anticipated to operate from 1 July to 31 December 2025. This is subject to each vessel's International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) registry.
• MMO Management: The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) will oversee the quota. They reserve the right to redistribute quota during the year if necessary.
• Licence Specifics: It's important for successful applicants to remember that these licence authorisations are non-transferable and are valid for the 2025 fishing season only. Furthermore, these authorisations will not establish a track record for future quota considerations and offer no guarantee of access to bluefin tuna quota in subsequent years.
• Reporting is Key: The authorisation allows the landing and sale of BFT, strictly provided that all reporting conditions are met. Failure to comply can lead to the suspension or removal of an authorisation.
• Mandatory Training: All skippers who were successful in the application process are required to attend a mandatory training meeting. This session will cover the essential processes and protocols of the fishery, ensuring everyone is up-to-speed on best practices and regulatory requirements.

Recreational Fishery: Catch and Release in English Waters

For recreational anglers, the MMO will be opening a permitted BFT catch and release recreational fishery (CRRF) in 2025. This fishery will operate exclusively within English waters. The MMO plans to issue permits for approximately 140 vessels to participate in the BFT CRRF.

To be eligible for a recreational permit, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• No Commercial Permit: You must not have secured a permit for the UK commercial BFT 2025 fishery. (See Bluefin tuna (BFT) commercial fishery within UK waters - GOV.UK)
• No Other CRRF Permit: You must not hold a permit for another UK BFT CRRF for the 2025 season.
• Vessel Specifications: Your vessel must be no less than 5 metres in overall length and must be powered by an engine/motor.
• Vessel Identification: A recent photograph of your vessel displaying external registration markings must be submitted with your application.
• UK Vessel Registry: You must be the owner of a vessel registered in the United Kingdom under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. Evidence will be required.
• Charter Vessel Certification: If your vessel is used for charter fishing trips, you must hold a valid Small Commercial Vessel Certificate (SCV2). Evidence of this certificate will also be required.

A critical point for all interested parties: Applicants cannot hold both a commercial BFT authorisation and a recreational CRRF BFT permit for the same vessel.

The allocation of BFT quota and the structured approach to both commercial and recreational fisheries highlight the UK's commitment to managing this valuable resource responsibly. For those involved in the commercial sector, the 2025 season offers a regulated opportunity, while recreational anglers in England can look forward to a permitted catch and release fishery. Stay tuned to "Through the Gaps" for any further updates as the season progresses.

It's a busy May #FishyFriday market in Newlyn.

The kind of morning weather-wise one might expect for a mid-May #FishyFriday in Newlyn...

with fish like these cracking red mullet...

and turbot from the big beam trawler Enterprise...

head-on monk from the seiner...

and superb tub gurnard from the fishy Saxon Spirit...

cephalopods like these squid are becoming a thing these days, with climate change acknowledged as the main factor in the rise of landings

of Mediterranean octopus, now being landed by almost every type of fishing boat...

in addition to cuttlefish...

there are the the common eight-leggers that have been landed on Newlyn for years...

though landings of their much larger cousins like this haul of 45 boxes are a new phenomenon...

Ian is still perfecting his nunchuck moves...

big beam-trawl plaice from the St Georges...

plus an unusually large haul of congers, must have been scraping those wrecks again..

the inshore boys continue their work harvesting fish ;ike mackerel, bass, pollack, and anything else that swims handy to the shore...

the look that comes from having put ashore a nice little touch of mackerel from the Western shore in a single drift...

what goes up must come down, Inter-Nos comes off the slip...

and heads out across the Bay for a quick run to check all is well down below...

as the Elizabeth N makes her way to the gaps...

the harbour guys are busy installing tyre fenders in preparation for any larger visitors along the Stone quay...

signs of some quality granite sets hide below the tarmac...

not many punts work two-handed, maybe the lobster pots are so full of Mediterranean octopus or nets so full od spiders that an extra pair of hands is needed to get them aboard the Benediction or Ramjet just decided to go for a morning cruise and keep Andrew company!..

work on making good the neglected wrought iron railings is nearing completion as is...

the installation of three new ladders...

replacement mooring rings and capping stone staples.