Mighty was the rain this morning!

Despite some pretty abhorrent weather over the last few days the netting fleet did their thing...

and filled the market with fish in the run up to the final full week before Xmas...

and this time hake were very much on the settling sheets for the Britannia V...

Silver Dawn...

Ygraine...

Stelissa...

Ocean Pride...

and Ajax...

pollack are still vey much evident in all landings from the fleet...

as are bass for some of the inshore guys...

all duly noted on Mr Smart's Monday morning's tally...

the last couple of years have seen a remarkable decline in haddock landings, yet another fish seemingly affected by ever=changing environmental conditions...

back in the 1969s to80s the bulk of Newlyn's fleet fished with longlines and these three species represented what were the main white fish landings at the time, cod has all but disappeared from the market these days......

while our eight-legged friends are still making up the good proportion of the fish landed on the market today...

and dogs are still very much in evidence on the netter landing documents too...

box after box of these guys were all over the market...

so which...

is which, red or nt?...

time to get the morning's purchases off the market and away to the customers...

the festive spirits are upon us...

as another heavy shower washes down the harbour..

Santa arrives by sea and turns the Harbour Lights on - it's officially Christmas in Newlyn!

The weather  was perfect and set the scene for Santa to arrive in a blaze of glory in Newlyn for the Harbour Lights big switch on!

Escorted by three of the local gigs...

with flares blazing...

Santa arrives in style aboard the Penlee lifeboat, Ivan Ellen...

with the bow rope safe in the hands of Pete Bell, stalwart of the Harbour Lights team...

Santa was safely delivered ashor and was kept busy dishing out goodies...

to hundreds of lucky children, and no doubt a few adults...

as he made his way slowly...

 through the packed quayside...

where another Lights stalwart was waiting...

with fingers crossed someone's found the Lights button...

along with Penzance Mayor, Stephen Reynolds who drew ticker Number 1 out of the free raffle bucket...

in front of an expectant crowd...

for Santa and this lucky young raffle winner

to press the button, turn on the lights...

and start this year's superb...

firework show!

Nadelik Lowen to One and All

 

CFPO Statement on the 2026 UK EU Bilateral Negotiation

 

The annual end of year UK-EU negotiations on fishing opportunities are never just about boats at sea. Their outcomes shape the entire Cornish seafood sector, and it is essential that scientists, managers and industry work together to secure sensible and pragmatic fishing opportunities for 2026 and beyond. The UK Fisheries Act was designed for exactly this purpose and must be applied properly.

Against that backdrop, the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation welcomes areas of genuine, evidence-based progress. Where industry and scientists have worked jointly and provided managers with clear solutions, outcomes have improved. Work on pollack, spurdog and sole shows what becomes possible when evidence is built from the ground up.

For pollack, improved management alignment across commercial and recreational sectors gives the stock the best chance to keep rebuilding, and after two years of severe constraint, the modest increases for the commercial fleet are welcome. On spurdog, long standing industry and science collaboration has delivered a more practical framework, a reduced overall TAC to manage the stock, but removal of the 100cm maximum size limit, allows for a much improved management of the fishery. Meanwhile, new genetic evidence confirming that sole in 7h and 7e are a single stock has enabled some flexibility for the fleet in the Western Channel. These examples make the point clearly, when industry participates in science and works closely with managers, real change follows.

However, the introduction of technical conservation measures within this year’s negotiations is very troubling. Zero TAC advice for cod, haddock and whiting remains a challenge in a mixed fishery, and the fishing industry is taking these issues seriously with current measures in place, many developed in partnership with CFPO members engaged in gear trials, as well as developing its own fisheries management plan on these stocks. However, with the EU proposing emergency technical measures for these species in the early stages of negotiations, which apparently blindsided the UK government, the final outcome leaves the UK with even stricter measures in its own waters, no meaningful consultation from UK Government and its own fleet, no co-design, no co-management and no clarity on whether equivalent measures will apply in EU waters. So much for regulatory autonomy. Bycatch TACs have been sharply reduced to match new technical conservation measures that will not take effect until later in 2026, creating an immediate misalignment between restrictions and practical impact. There has also been no consideration of the growing evidence on climate driven shifts in gadoid distribution. After another year in which the fleet routinely encountered warmer water species, from octopus to blue fin tuna, the Government response has been to take EU proposed emergency measures in UK waters and dramatic reductions in bycatch limits for fish that are plainly moving north in search of cooler water.

Alongside this, the EU’s efforts to build a track record on non TAC species in the Channel through weak and poorly monitored rules represent a clear attempt to convert opportunistic access into long term claims on UK resources. The UK cannot allow this to stand. It must demonstrate some of its independent coastal state status.

There are at least some more consistent decisions in the mix. The increases to bass limits for all gear types reflect the improving stock trend, particularly welcomed for the trawl fleet and the unavoidable bycatch they encounter with the growing stock. Yet with such significant decisions being made via these negotiations, it raises a bigger question, why maintain a bass fisheries management plan if none of the additional fishing opportunities secured will offer new opportunities to those without the ability to land bass. Where are the opportunities for the young fishermen trying to get on the ladder, or those encountering it as a genuine bycatch due to the stock growing and shifting with the climate. This sits uneasily with such a significant change in catch limits.

Looking ahead, the question of where the fishing industry should focus its energy to inform decision making is becoming increasingly blurred. After the EU reset and this year’s negotiations, international agreements are clearly taking precedence over the well intentioned, but increasingly weak domestic frameworks. Fisheries management plan dialogue has become hollow and decisions with major consequences are being taken without consultation or adherence to the principles set out in the Joint Fisheries Statement.

This is precisely why the Cornwall Fisheries Science Board must now become a central engine for change. The Board will provide the structure to design and deliver high quality scientific projects, generate a strong and trusted evidence base for Cornish fisheries and make full use of industry as the research rich resource it is. It will ensure that advice is clear, consistent and aligned with recognised international decision making processes. If Cornwall is to secure a sustainable and forward looking future for its fishing and seafood sector, this is where that work must be driven. The CFPO is committed to leading this effort with our members, scientific partners and government. It is then for the government to match that commitment and deliver credible management from a transparent process aligning with the UK Fisheries Act, whether domestic or international decisions are being made.

Fish landings - Newlyn market overview

Newlyn Market Update: Weather  Weekly Landings

This week at Newlyn fish market was defined by significant volatility in supply, driven largely by changing fleet activity and disruptive mid-week weather.

The week opened strongly on Monday. A combined effort from a stern trawler, a beamer, and the inshore fleet delivered a substantial 9.4 tonnes. The floor was dominated by high volumes of Megrim Sole (1.5t), Cuttlefish (1.1t), Dover Sole (1t), and Monkfish (1t). Buyers responded well to prime stock, pushing N3 Dover Sole to £28.99/kg and N1 John Dory to £24.53/kg.

Supply tightened on Tuesday, with 3.8t landed solely by one beamer. Megrim Sole and Mediterranean Octopus headed up the volume, prices were reported as solid across the board.

By Wednesday, adverse tidal and weather conditions brought operations almost to a halt, restricting landings to a negligible 0.2t of Bass.

Thursday saw a partial recovery as conditions eased enough for crabbers and the inshore fleet to land 4.6t. This later part of the week was characterised by a surge in Mediterranean Octopus (2.6t) and Bass (2t). Despite the earlier disruptions, premium prices were still achievable, notably N3 Red Mullet hitting £27.38/kg and N3 Bass reaching £23.17/kg

Weekly snapshot at a glance

It's a #FishyFriday GRAND SWITCH-ON 💥💥💥 Newlyn Harbour Lights tonight from 6pm!

GRAND SWITCH-ON 💥💥💥 NEWLYN HARBOUR LIGHTS this FRIDAY 12 DECEMBER from 6pm!

Tom keeping an eye on things after storm Bram has passed...

leaving very little landed at newlyn this week...

with the Enterprise in the process of putting together a new set of gear...

it was down to just a handful of the bigger potters keeping the harbour supplies going...

Thursday saw the scaffolding come down on the Old Quay after the lime mortar pointing had been completed...

and a few trusty hands moved in to rig the lights...

that will adorn a new feature for this year's Newlyn Harbour Lights

in the form of a fully rigged lugger, the Barnabas moored on the Old Quay.

GRAND SWITCH-ON 💥💥💥 NEWLYN HARBOUR LIGHTS

FRIDAY 12 DECEMBER 2025

from 6:00pm

Definitely a date! 🎅🏼🎄🎅🏼🎄🎅🏼🎄🎅🏼 

🔴 Penzance Silver Band will be playing carols and entertaining us throughout the evening. Newlyn School will be singing from 6:00pm

🔴 The grand switch-on ceremony of the 2025 Newlyn Harbour Lights display will follow from the balcony of Newlyn Harbour Offices. We will be joined by the Mayor of Penzance, Cllr Stephen Reynolds.

🔴 Spectacular Firework display by Sonic Fireworks - British Firework Champions!


Please note: There will be an 8 minute hybrid firework display designed to use the quieter style effects at the beginning and then a gradual transition to traditional fireworks for the last part of the display. The fireworks will be fired at some stage during the event. It’s difficult to be specific about the exact time as prevailing weather conditions and wind speeds may impact on when the display will start. 🎅🏼 Father Christmas will be arriving onboard the Penlee Lifeboat

Penlee lifeboat, Ivan Ellen will be about 6.30pm accompanied by Pendeen Pilot Gig Club in their beautifully decorated gigs.

One lucky child will have the chance to switch on the lights with Father Christmas - free raffle tickets to enter this draw can be collected up until 6.45pm from a table at the front of the Harbour Offices to the right next to the main entrance gates on to the pier.

Our thanks go to Penzance Council for their generous grant funding and to Newlyn Harbour for their continued support.