Spike and his new hat

Former Newlyn fisherman Spike Searle, who spent many years as mate and relief skipper aboard the highly successful gillnetter Sowenna, is now working for 'Finding Sanctuary'. Finding Sanctuary is a partnership project that aims to secure a healthy and productive future for the coasts and seas of South West England. Over four years, the project will work with stakeholders to design a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The goal of the MPA network is to safeguard the region’s undersea habitats and marine life, and to help ensure the long-term sustainability of marine resources in the region.

The organisation is currently seeking additional steering group members to consolidate the already considerable body of expertise that it is able to draw from.