Here's a good news story from Concarneau, Penzance's twin-town in Brittany where changing circumstances are adversely affecting the fortunes of the once great fishing port.
Looking beyond quotas, rules and regulations, the fishing community in Concarneau, Penzance’s twin town, is looking at other ways to protect its fleet of small fishing boats. A petition has been set up on the change.org website and has already received 266 signatures. Rather than just complaining about the situation, the organisers have put forward a series of proposals to ensure Concarneau remains an active port and stresses that fishing can also attract tourists to the area.
Among their ideas a public-private partnership to modernise the facilities in the port and the possibility of day boats selling their crabs, lobsters and fish directly to customers. They believe that this would not only benefit those involved in the sector, but also make Concarneau more attractive to visitors, suggesting that a cooperative seafood restaurant be set up to stress the quality of local produce.
Newlyn needs to remind itself that in order to reap the most rewards from its key role as the largest fishing presence in Cornwall where tourism is by far the county's biggest industry it shoulds also be looking at engaging more proactively with the tourism industry. Ironically, one of the moves planned by the Breton port has already been championed here in Newlyn, - #DrecklyFish took the bull by the horns when four like-minded inshore fishermen got together and, with the help of a sound understanding of social media and technology, set up direct selling their catch to the public! Men of the smaller boats working from Newlyn and all the small coves around the coastline provide a very real face for the holidaymaker to engage with.
Meanwhile, like the rest of the coast of Western Brittany, the town has been exposed to the heavy Atlantic swell with rivers bursting their banks and high tides flooding over sea defences with the authorities closing coastal roads this weekend with 8-9 metre high waves set to batter the coast again this evening. The port of Guilvinec is experiencing similar weather conditions caught on the Thalassa web cam.