For most of December and into the New Year the Newlyn sardine fleet sailed, weather permitting, only to find no sardine fish marks in Mounts Bay. The fish to all intents and purposes had disappeared. The fleet sought fish all the way along the south coast, from Falmouth to Mevagissey and as far as Plymouth – with some success but ultimately, landings were well down as compared to previous months. The spawning season for the fish is largely over and at this time of year the high fat content – crucial for canning – begins to drop so changes in behaviour are inevitable. The Christmas break also meant that the two large processors that take most of the fish landed were also on limited capacity.
The spawning season for the fish is largely over and at this time of year the high fat content – crucial for canning – begins to drop so changes in behaviour are inevitable. The Christmas break also meant that the two large processors that take most of the fish landed were also on limited capacity.