NPHC Advisory Board meeting

This Friday, the 18th of September will see the Advisory Board for Newlyn Pier and Harbour Commissioners meeting in the harbour board room at 2:30pm.

The minutes for the July meeting and this month's agenda are available on the NPHC website's Advisory Board page. The page provides more information about the role of the board and the current membership.

Latest news: The Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Fishing Vessels of less than 15m Length Overall

Reactions from some in the industry to the latest changes to the Code of Practice for Under15m meter vessels.

Notice to all Owners, Designers, Builders, Employers, Skippers and Crew of Fishing Vessels.

This notice should be read with in conjunction with the Fishing Vessels (Code of Practice) Regulations 2017 No.943 and the Merchant Shipping (Work in Fishing Convention) Regulations 2018 No.1106 and replaces MSN 1871 Amendment 1 – The Code of Practice for the Safety of Fishing Vessels of less than 15.

For skippers and owners getting to grips with the paperwork, here is a breakdown of the key requirements from the updated code:

Inspections and Certification

Vessels must now be inspected out of the water at least once every five years, alongside the standard in-water checks. Failing to complete the out-of-water inspection will invalidate the Small Fishing Vessel Certificate and could see it withdrawn entirely.

Construction and Modifications

Any boat built to a recognised Construction and Outfit Standard must be maintained to that standard throughout its working life.

When modifications are carried out, the new work must meet current building standards.

For older vessels that were not built to a specific standard, owners must be able to demonstrate that the current arrangements are fit for purpose.

Stability and Freeboard Rules

Newer vessels (registered from 6 September 2021 onwards) must meet strict stability criteria based specifically on their method of fishing.

Older vessels are required to conduct a Roll Test or Heel Test. Crucially, these stability tests must now be repeated every five years in the exact same conditions as the initial test.

If a vessel does not require a full Stability Information Book, it must display a Wolfson Stability Notice on board to give the crew clear information on how loading affects the boat's stability.

Changing a vessel's fishing method to one it has not previously undertaken now requires prior MCA approval, and the boat will have to comply with the newest stability requirements for that specific gear.

Operating Limits

Open vessels are restricted to operating no more than 20 miles from a safe haven, and only in favourable weather conditions.

Decked vessels with a freeboard of less than 300mm face the exact same 20-mile, favourable-weather restrictions. Additionally, any decked boat with less than 200mm of freeboard is automatically classed as an open vessel under the new rules.

Crew Protection and Deck Safety

The code introduces tighter requirements for working areas. Decks must be non-slip, and there are stricter rules covering the provision of handrails, grab rails, and the safe securing of winches, hauling gear, and heavy items.

Finally, owners must ensure they have a fully up-to-date health and safety risk assessment completed for the vessel.

Some of the Reactions:

The extracted comments, including the initial post, have been cleared of metadata and names as requested:

This has cost me tens of thousands of pounds. I’ve spent a huge amount bringing a 22-year-old fishing vessel up to standards that at times feel closer to new-build requirements, only to feel like the goalposts keep moving. Nobody in fishing is against genuine safety improvements. We all want to come home safely. But regulation has to be practical, consistent and achievable for existing vessels. One of the biggest problems is consistency. Different officials can interpret requirements differently, leaving fishermen unsure exactly what standard they’re expected to meet. You can be told to alter something at considerable expense, then pay again for it to be inspected. 

Then there are the delays. If an alteration requires MCA approval or inspection, fishermen shouldn’t be left waiting weeks for somebody to attend while the vessel is tied alongside earning nothing. Downtime is a cost just as surely as the repair itself. All of this is falling on individual owners alongside increasing paperwork, fuel, engineering, equipment and general operating costs. Unlike many businesses, we can’t simply add those increases onto the price of the fish we land. There also needs to be recognition that retrofitting a working vessel built more than 20 years ago is fundamentally different from designing a new vessel from scratch. Some modern requirements are extremely difficult and disproportionately expensive to incorporate retrospectively. Safety regulation should make fishermen safer. It shouldn’t create such financial and mental pressure that owners are pushed to breaking point trying to keep their vessels compliant and their businesses alive. We need one clear interpretation of the rules, realistic standards for existing vessels, sensible transition periods, and enough MCA inspectors so vessels aren’t unnecessarily tied up waiting. 

Fishermen aren’t asking to avoid safety rules. We’re asking for a fair, consistent and workable system.

Completely finished the inshore sector ,so many boys have had to get out .the cost and stress to fishermen and families is un bearable for most .cost implications now put boys in debt forced to go single handed,fish in rougher conditions and longer hours alone .its cost to some health wise from going through this is criminal the whole thing needs looking at from top to bottom especially the vindictive Ness of some inspections

banning of donkey drains on small netters completely flummoxed me ,safest way of clearing the deck of weed and water quickly and safely now ive got to clean weed from the bilge pump constantly to drain the deck safely.

We need to draft a letter of no confidence signed by as many fisherman as possible pointing out how the MCA are actively endangering life's and present it publicly with as much press as possible to the head of the MCA . Public humiliation is the only thing they understand.

They don't want a small boat fleet and are doing there best to get rid of it

they have been for years

Yet if somebody reports you about something they can be there within a few hours

Been saying this for ages, boats built 20 odd years ago to the then safety specifications should not be lumped in to the new build regs, in most cases it's fiscally impossible and actually a danger to stability etc, time to stand up to these inspectors as they clearly don't understand the situation in many cases.

could be wrong but to my understanding theyre not. A boat built 20 years ago has to comply with current safety regs but only to new build regs if it lapses off the register?

They rushed me for nearly £3k for the stability work, on top of around £5k for the naval architect to produce the stability book. You’d think the same urgency would apply to getting it read and approved — but now I’m being told it could take months.

What happened to Sea Fish? Never had problems you could speak to them.

So a motor vehicle is MOT'd to the requirements relevant to when it was first registered, for example seat belts. They do not have to be retrospectively fitted. Wheels, tyres, brakes, emissions don't have to be current standard either. So why fishing vessels, it doesn't make sense.

Exactly my argument

A good point, well made. People ask these questions, but they ever get answered and addressed?

Put like that it does not. However if you go to buy a business you must comply with new Building Regs though.

put it like this, I live in a block of flats built approx in the late 1970s, it has one flight of steps which would in an emergency be used as a fire escape and for fire men to access. Nowadays my flats which have 7 floors would require two stair ways! Obviously it’s impossible to build another stairway! I can both use and sell on my flat. Some things have been uprated that are practicable to be such as fire doors etc!

"Poor is the soul whose happiness depends on the whims of another."

The more MCA rules and regulations I read, the more contradictions and grey areas I find.

I unfortunately fell into this, previous issues etc and delays added a chunky cost, the MCA guys did what they could to be fair to them but nevertheless id warm people when buying a boat and going through change of ownership to factor in a good reserve of money

Down to the surveyors discretion which give the mca an open book to do what they want

I can remember when I had a charter boat and I had a problem could not skipper the boat, someone thought my young son was taking the boat got shoped MCA were there just as the boat was at sea but I had a skipper on board.

Action Plan for a Strong and Safe UK Fishing Industry by 2026

Overview and Vision

The document outlines a strategic framework aimed at transforming UK fisheries by 2026, emphasizing sustainability, innovation, and industry resilience. It articulates a vision of a healthy, productive, and sustainable fishing industry that balances environmental health, economic viability, and social well-being.

Key Pillars for Achieving the Vision

The plan is structured around four core pillars:

- Sustainable Management and Access: Ensuring fish stocks are managed responsibly, accounting for environmental changes like climate impacts.

- Fleet Modernisation, Infrastructure, and Technology: Upgrading vessels, port facilities, and adopting innovative technologies to reduce environmental impact and increase efficiency.

- Workforce and Labour: Attracting, training, and retaining skilled workers, ensuring working conditions support wellbeing and career progression.

- Supply Chains and Domestic Consumption: Strengthening domestic markets, improving supply chain transparency, and increasing value addition to UK seafood.

Environmental and Climate Considerations

A strong focus is placed on ecosystem-based and climate-informed fisheries management, recognizing the rapid environmental changes driven by climate change, such as shifting fish ranges and ecosystem shifts. The need for adaptive management systems that anticipate these changes is emphasized.

Enablers and Governance

Cross-cutting enablers include:

- Enhanced Stakeholder Engagement: Addressing low trust levels through genuine co-management, regional governance, and transparent decision-making.

- Data and Technology: Promoting remote electronic monitoring (REM), AI, and collaborative science to improve data accuracy and support sustainable practices.

- Funding and Investment: Advocating for multi-year funding schemes, targeted support for fleet and infrastructure modernisation, and leveraging private investment.

Specific Recommendations

- Environmental Management: Move towards ecosystem-based approaches that consider socio-ecological systems.

- Data Collection and Science: Improve fisheries data collection and analysis, closing evidence gaps via partnerships, and utilizing innovative tools like Belgium's decentralized management pilot.

- Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: Strengthen governance, align regulations with fleet modernization goals, and embed sustainability and social benefits at policy levels.

- Funding and Support: Increase transparency, support small operators, and leverage revenues from offshore wind for sectoral benefits.

- Building Trust: Shift consultation practices towards genuine stakeholder engagement, participatory governance, and regional decision-making structures.

Stakeholder Engagement & Consultation

The document details extensive consultation efforts, including a six-week Call for Evidence, regional workshops, and parliamentary sessions, collecting broad diverse perspectives from across the UK fisheries sector.

Newlyn Auction Round-Up: 7th – 10th September 2026

Total landings for the four days hit just over 186 tonnes, bringing in a respectable £1.09 million at the market.

Total landings for the four days hit just over 71.3 tonnes, bringing in a respectable £409,544 at the market.

Monday 7th September

The week kicked off with a solid 21.1 tonnes crossing the market floor, generating £103,521. Cuttlefish led the charge, landing 7.1 tonnes and taking £24,942. Monkfish followed with just over a tonne (£13,393), and Bass rounded out the top three, bringing in £8,707.

Tuesday 8th September

A slightly lighter day saw 14.8 tonnes landed for a total of £98,366. Prime fish took the top spot, with Dover Sole yielding a massive £21,365 from just 803kg. Monkfish maintained a strong showing with 1.5 tonnes (£18,400), while nearly 1.8 tonnes of Megrim made £7,602.

Wednesday 9th September

Wednesday delivered the highest-grossing market of the week, turning over £124,174 from 20.7 tonnes. MSC Hake dominated the floor, fetching £62,685 from a 7.8-tonne landing. Cuttlefish had another good day (4.4 tonnes for £15,631), and Monkfish remained steady with 626kg bringing in £7,637.

Thursday 10th September

Things quietened down by Thursday, with 14.5 tonnes grossing £83,482. MSC Hake again took the top spot (1.3 tonnes for £12,146), followed by Monkfish (533kg, £7,906). A relatively small but valuable landing of Turbot (172kg) took third place, pulling in £5,009.

Weekly Summary

It was a steady £409k week at Newlyn, driven largely by significant mid-week hake landings and consistent prime fish prices. MSC Hake and Cuttlefish proved to be the standout volume earners, while Monkfish remained the most reliable earner day-to-day. The presence of high-value species like Dover Sole and Turbot helped bolster the daily values, proving that quality continues to hold its own on the market floor.

Boat action in Newlyn

 

The IFCA boat St Piran at rest...

Newlyn has it's very own resident Mermaid...

it's a thumbs-up from the netting boys over-ending in the sunshine...

heavy lifting has arrived from Macsalvors...

Morgenster makes for a fine sight in the Bay...

restoration work is almost completed down the Old Quay...

the slings are in place and ready to lift...

the Jersey registered cat en route to Scotland, back in the water...

on the hard...

first time ashore for a while and feeling the effects of being on dry land again...

a relatively quiet mid-week market on Wednesday morning...

there are still far too many dogs out there for the netters' liking as they make very little money and damage the gear, and are unavoidable at time...

and away they go...

there's a chance of showers later...

one sardine catching kit all set to go...

right where the lifeboats belong...

sardine bats at rest...

an all-electric hydrofoil bound for the Scillys...

the Winter landing shellfish...

just what it says on the tin...

take the tour...

would be interesting to see a race between the two...

the craws are crawling.

Fishing and Seafood should be treated as Critical National Infrastructure, says Fisheries APPG

Fishmongers Hall. London Bridge

Launching its Action Plan for a Thriving and Sustainable UK Fishing Industry at the historic Fishmongers’ Hall on the evening of 9 September, the APPG on Fisheries called on Government to treat fishing and seafood as part of the UK’s critical national infrastructure.

The cross-party Group urged ministers to set out a coherent, long-term strategy for the sector in the next twelve months, recognising its strategic value as a food-producing industry vital to national food security.

The Group argues that a resilient seafood system – spanning domestic catching, processing and trade – is vital to the UK’s food security, and that a healthy domestic fishing industry is a strategic asset within that system. In 2024, UK vessels landed 745,000 tonnes of fish and shellfish, while the UK imported more than 1.1 million tonnes of seafood. While much of the domestic catch is exported and many imports reflect UK consumer preferences, this gap points to a reliance on global supply chains that recent geopolitical events have shown can no longer be taken for granted. The Government itself has acknowledged that, while the UK is currently food secure, the conditions underpinning that security are shifting. Preserving the capacity to feed the nation from its own waters, says the APPG, offers strategic insurance against future shocks.

Speaking ahead of the launch, former Fisheries Minister and independent Parliamentary Chair, Daniel Zeichner MP said, “For an island nation, we are strikingly blind to the value of our own seas. We have a vital domestic sector that helps feed the country, sustains coastal communities and is, in every meaningful sense, part of our critical national infrastructure. Yet we continue to look past it. This Action Plan sets out a clear framework to address this. What the sector now needs is a coherent, long-term strategy, and this Plan offers Government an actionable basis to deliver it.”

As part of the evidence gathering process underpinning the Action Plan, the APPG heard from people around the UK’s coasts and across all four nations about the potential of fishing and seafood, and the cumulative challenges facing the industry – from rising costs to access to space at sea, changing environments, workforce issues, and reputational pressures – described by industry during the inquiry as a “perfect storm” and “death by a thousand cuts”. The Parliamentary Group also heard of fragmented governance,a legislative framework that is failing to deliver – or is out of step with the operational reality of fisheries and the business of fishing – alongside a consistent call for meaningful support from Government.

In response, the Action Plan sets out 38 recommendations spanning areas including food security assessments and food-system planning; recognition of fishing’s wider national value; improved understanding and engagement; sustainability, climate-smart management; fleets, infrastructure and technology; workforce and labour; supply chains and domestic consumption; science and knowledge; and funding and investment.

Alongside a recognition of fishing’s strategic value and the need for appropriate support from Government, the Action Plan’s headline asks include calls to:

Strengthen accountability for fisheries and the wider marine environment through a dedicated Minister for the Marine with a cross-departmental mandate.

Recognise the acute and cumulative cost pressures facing the sector – in particular energy and fuel costs affecting both catching and processing – and ensure fishing and seafood can access the same energy-cost support available to other sectors. 

APPG Co-Chairs, Alistair Carmichael MP and Melanie Onn MP said in a joint statement, “Through our inquiry, our wider work on the APPG and in our own constituencies we see first-hand the true value of UK fishing and seafood, alongside the challenges facing the industry. UK fishing can deliver good jobs, resilient coastal and island communities, thriving local economies, improved food security, better health outcomes, and healthy marine ecosystems. But to do this it needs support and a clear commitment from Government to deliver the long-term strategy the sector needs.”

Development of the Action Plan was supported by a Review Board drawn from a representative cross-section of industry stakeholders from across each of the UK’s four nations. The process was further strengthened by the input of the APPG’s Expert Panel, which brings together representatives from industry, academia, management, environmental and welfare organisations.

Mike Cohen, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations said, “We’ve long called for a national fishing strategy, and have fully supported the APPG’s work to develop an Action Plan in its absence. This is a great industry with huge potential, but unless that potential is fully recognised and supported with a Government-led strategy in line with other sectors of the economy, we will continue to be pushed from one challenge to the next. The Government must recognise fishing as a valuable food- and job-producing sector of the economy, rather than an environmental management problem, or an impediment to offshore construction. We stand ready to work with them to achieve this.”

Dr Lynn Gilmore, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Fish Producers’ Organisation said, “Our boats continue to go to sea from ports across Northern Ireland, providing employment in our communities and putting food on tables here and around the world. But they face an uphill battle against a regulatory and legislative framework that makes their livelihoods unnecessarily difficult. While the UK’s diverse fleets face different challenges, including our own, many share the same root cause – the value of fishing is not recognised or supported. This Action Plan shows that, despite our diversity, it is possible to set out a framework that can support fishing right around the UK.”

Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation said, “We have long engaged with the work of the APPG and were glad to be involved in this process. While it is certainly not easy to set out a strategy that can cover the complexity of UK fisheries and navigate the realities of a devolved fisheries landscape, we firmly support the core tenet that fishing should be part of Scotland and the UK’s critical national infrastructure. SFF’s regular polling shows that the Scottish public values our fishing industry, and we need our governments to value it too. This Action Plan could help set us on a course for a successful and sustainable future.”

The APPG’s development of the Action Plan was supported by a grant from the Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust, which also supports the APPG’s Secretariat services. The Secretariat is provided by Mindfully Wired, a Bristol-based specialist marine and environmental communications consultancy.

Eleanor Adamson, Head of Fisheries, The Fishmongers’ Company said, “The Fishmongers’ Company and its Fisheries Charitable Trust are proud to have supported this cross-sector, cross-party inquiry, and thank the many experts whose insights helped shape it. The UK’s fishing and seafood sector sustains communities around our coasts and plays an important role in our food security, yet rarely gets the strategic attention it deserves. We hope this Action Plan – which brings together voices from across the industry and all four nations – informs a constructive conversation about a prosperous future for the benefit of those working in the sector, the environment and our island nation.”

You can read the full report at: www.fisheriesappg.org/action-plan-report

All the thrills and spills at Newlyn Raft Race 2026!

This year's Raft Race in aid of Newlyn Harbour Lights saw thousands turn out for a spectacular race bathed in early September sunshine!

Enjoy the the thrills and spills as rafts of all shapes, sizes and build quality took to the water in a shore break that proved just too much for the Pirates' RFC boys on their not-so-solid raft!

Overall winners sailed aboard HMS Conor M for the chaps and, of course for the chapesses, Newlyn Meadery Maids reigned once again, better luck next year for the Chicks! Some beasts won the Conor Mosely cup for the best dressed raft!

Take a ride aboard the good ship John Deere crewed by Young Farmers - didn't they do well? Second place!

It's Newlyn Raft Race today!

 

The one day in the year when they come from far and wide to have some fun at sea - and the Newlyn Meadery Maids go all out to win, again! 

This year there will be a special trophy for the best dressed raft...

and the winner will be the proud holder of this trophy named in his honour.!

A quiet week in Newlyn until #FishyFriday!

The beam trawler Cornishman provided the bulk of fish for Friday's market...

and there are signs the inshore guys working handlines are finding a few more mackerel...

the other trip of fish came from the Dutch fly-shooter who landed a good shot of quality fish like these John Dory...

to go alongside the Cornishman's Dovers...

and inshore line caught bass...

a fine sight for the discerning, mackerel, red mullet and bass, the very best in inshore fish...

cuttles from the Imogen...

and a few big conger...

while the big fly-shooter landed plenty of red mullet...

and cuttles again...

LT1, Sue Ann, she's a little shorter and is now sporting the Rowse colours...

than when she arrived...

there's an awful lot of fish still being caught by these guys, all of them enjoying tea and cake courtesy of the Fish Mish crew!