Albeit a small Spanish invasion, the first since 1595, or just coincidence? Is the presence of two huge Spanish fishing boats somehow connected to signing Article 50?
You don't see a big Spaniard in Nelwyn for years and years and then, after steaming to Newlyn from way west of the Scillys...
Monday of this week saw the huge 240 ton Spanish flag of convenience vessel, Sanamedio...
land a token amount of fish on the market in Newlyn, while the bulk of her catch...
went into the back of a lorry a lorry, bound directly for Spain...
the stern trawler was full from stern...
to stem with spare trawls and trawl netting - clearly prepared for long trips away from her 'home' port of La Coruna...
while the early hours of Thursday morning saw the arrival of the netter, Monte Mazanteu...
and in a sign of changing times, all her crew were wearing lifejackets as they stowed the fenders...
as they headed out through the gaps later in the day...
and steamed out across the bay...
bound away SSW to the deep water in search of hake...
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Update 31/03/2017: ITV news report http://bit.ly/2mVc0Y0
Update 31/03/2017: ITV news report http://bit.ly/2mVc0Y0
Although most people refer to these boats as being Spanish they are in every sense British fishing vessels, registered in British ports and fishing with quota that came from British fishing vessels. At the heart of any discussion will be references made to the Factortame Case(s) and the subsequent legal battles that ended in a costly bill for the UK Government. Some of this debate goes to the very heart of why many people, not least many fishermen, voted for Brexit - the right to sovereign law being upheld. The boats are also a welcome boost for the harbour in the form of some very welcome landing dues - along with the impending arrival of more vessels from the Scottish prawning fleet, two fo whom are in port at the moment.