The week at Newlyn began under the lingering shadow of a restless weekend. With heavy weather and awkward tides keeping much of the fleet tied up to the quay, the market saw a slow start, eventually building momentum as the conditions relented and the netters and other boats found their window of opportunity.
Monday: A Solid Start
Monday’s auction opened with a respectable 6.1 tonnes, primarily bolstered by a single stern trawler alongside the ever-reliable inshore boats. It was a diverse spread, but the 1.5t of Mediterranean Octopus and 1.6t of Monkfish led the volume stakes. Quality was reflected in the bidding, with N3 Dover Sole hitting a premium £20.25/kg, while N1 Haddock saw a sharp £6.27/kg.
Tuesday: Weathering the Storm
The momentum was briefly checked on Tuesday. The hangover from the weekend’s adverse weather, coupled with difficult tidal conditions, resulted in a sparse market. The inshore fleet managed to land just 2.7 tonnes, though there was a notable showing of 1t of Bass and a small contribution of MSC Hake to keep the buyers engaged.
Wednesday: The Fleet Finds its Gear
By Wednesday, the "Gaps" began to fill. The netters and inshore boats returned in force, delivering a robust 10.9 tonnes for auction. Bass remained a significant feature at 1.7t, but it was the 2.3t of MSC Hake that dominated the morning’s work.
The highlight, however, was in the pricing:
N1 John Dory: £21.93/kg
N2 Lemon Sole: £20.53/kg
LM Mackerel: £14.60/kg
Thursday: Peak Volume
The week hit its stride on Thursday as one beamer and three netters joined the inshore fleet to land a substantial 20.9 tonnes. The variety was a testament to the versatility of the Newlyn fleet, with 2.5t of Mediterranean Octopus and 2.2t of MSC Hake leading the charge.
Notable landings included 2.1t of Pollock and 1.5t of Megrim, with the cuttlefish starting to show at 1t. Across the board, prices remained firm, rewarding those who had braved the elements earlier in the week.
