RIP Cathryn

Cathryn - a name synonymous with Cathryn Stevenson, one time matriarch of the fishing family and for many years...

the inshore trawler that bore her name in the port - until yesterday, when she was carefully lifted out of the water for the final time...

as far as we know, the man in the red boiler suit did survive the move...

here is the Cathryn some ten years ago...

landing to the market late one afternoon, her skipper for many years was one of Newlyn's fishing characters, a certain Edwin Madron, seen here hooking up a basket from his day's fishing...

for a small boat she had plenty of deck space owing mainly to her compact winch...

as a day boat she would leave the harbour early in the morning...

and return later - back in the day she often worked with one or two hands...

while in later years the hugely experienced ex-lifeboat Penlee lifeboat crew Edwin...

fished many trips single-handed, seemingly at times having to wrestle with the 'old girl' as he called her...

many years before the Cathryn, Edwin skippered the Nicola Marie before enjoying an extended break across the water in and around Dumnore East...

we can thank Tony Cuthbertson for capturing a little of the character that was Edwin on film - it would be a tough call to know who had the greater number of stories to tell, the Cathryn built in 1955 or Edwin!

Full of fish for #FishyFriday in Newlyn.

Almost a full house on the landings board this morning...

as Elka and Gary from Cefas sample otoliths and length measurements from some of the fish landed...

like these Dover soles...

langoustine are very much in vogue this week, another of Stevenson's beamers lands a few boxes...

along with these flat fish, not megrims but?...

the big tub gurnards came in 3s...

while the megs...

pollack...

and John Dory two by two...

big landing of megrims from the Sapphire II...

the otolith box...

eight tentacles are no good out of water...

these reds are just dying to end up on a charcoal grill...

big bass for the top end of the market, probably Chelsea bound...

as the buyers ponder the price...

of even bigger white fish like these cod from the prawn boats...

boxes of pristine whiting from visiting inshore trawler, Angelina...

looks like the end of an area, just a day after the ports second oldest fishing boat is taken away it looks like the port's oldest, the Excellent is about to be broken up and taken off the historic ship's register, a sad day indeed and a blow for the artists for whom the hull made an excellent study to capture on canvas...

the Lisa's nets get a good airing Dutch style...

as the latest prawn trawler comes in through the gaps...

more steel work ready for being fitted aboard the Filadelfia...

Guy, a true fishermen's friend and hero of all in inclement weather...

high water and the quay is full...

the Harriet is all but ready to sail...

close up of two different kinds of footrope...

showing how short lengths of chain links are used to wrestle bottom hugging fish like Dover sole and megrim form the sea bed...

as soon as the boat hit the quay the crew were hard at work scrubbing down after a week's worth of seagull deposits decorated the boat...

time to cut in the waterline later today...

five of the bigger prawn boats that draw so much water they dry out in all but the deepest berths...

Sarah, the ex-lifeboat...

twin-rig prawn trawlers stern on.

Frozen

Mike Nowell, father of England and Lion's Jack Nowell pulls in boxes from one of the three family boats landing in Newlyn...

while the Nereus puts her catch of frozen langoustine ashore...

North meets South...

whiter than white...

the Spanish built (lengthened later in the UK) Solstice after taking ice...

like old times...

the harbour is filling up with visiting boats...

filling the berths that were once taken up by the ports 30 plus beam trawler fleet...

though many of the visitors dwarf said beamers...

sporting huge net drums atop their shelterdecks back aft...

like the Opportunus IV from Peterhead...

30 fathom footrope...

an almost aerial view of the Solstice...

as she pulls away form the iceworks...

time for the crew to head for home...

as another day draws to a close in Newlyn.

Committee guide: Without common fisheries policy, there would be no more fishermen in EU

Parliament's fisheries committee is firmly committed to making the common fisheries policy work, says Alain Cadec.


1. What do you see as the committee's main achievements in the first half of the current mandate, and what do you see as its principle priorities for the remaining two and a half years?

The reform of the common fisheries policy was completed in 2013. As such, the first half of this legislature was devoted to implementing this reform. Parliament's fisheries committee is working on three key topics: maximum sustainable yield, regionalisation and compulsory landing.

Maximum sustainable yield is the cornerstone of the common fisheries policy. It consists of ensuring - on the basis of scientific assessments - sustainable exploitation of fish stocks. This principle must be integrated into the multiannual management plans which we have been working on since 2015.

A pilot project has already been approved for the Baltic sea with others soon to come for the North Sea, the Atlantic, the Channel, the Mediterranean and the Adriatic. This will help plan long-term management measures and therefore give fishermen visibility.

The second topic is regionalisation. This is about adapting certain technical rules of the common fisheries policy to the various regional specificities, while respecting a common framework. This concerns, for example, the size of fishing nets. The aim is to bring greater flexibility and encouraging development of innovative fishing vessels.

Since 2015, fisheries policy dictates that fishermen must land all their catches, even those that are banned from the market. This was set up to end ocean disposal, which generated a huge amount of waste.

However, this rule has caused many problems and hinders the competiveness of many fishing enterprises, which are not equipped for such a fundamental change. As such, the landing obligation is inapplicable. We need to relax this rule and help fishermen invest in more selective vessels.

2. What do you believe are the main challenges and issues facing the committee for the remainder of the current legislature?

By 2019, we must set up management plans for all European maritime waters. It's important to ensure a clear and predictable framework for fishermen, to allow for ecologically sustainable and economically competitive fishing.

This will also require updating rules on controls, with further harmonisation. In addition, we must start work on the future European fishing fund, which is set to succeed the European maritime and fisheries fund in 2021. And of course, Brexit.

3. What impact, if any, will Brexit and other events such as national elections in France, The Netherlands and Germany, have on the committee's work?

Brexit will have a huge impact on fisheries; many European fishermen fish in British waters. Ending free access to these waters would have grave socio-economic consequences for the fishing sector. Also, many UK fishermen are dependent on the European market to sell their products. I hope that during the negotiations, we can find a mutually advantageous agreement.

Parliament's fisheries committee issued a clear message: the issue of access to British waters for European vessels, and the issue of access to the European market for British products, are inextricably linked. In addition, fishing must not become a bargaining chip during the talks.

4. How can citizens become more engaged in what your committee does and how can you better communicate its work to voters and stakeholders?

Without the common fisheries policy, there would be no more fishermen in Europe. Thanks to the EU, a long-term management system has been established that allows sustainable fishing that both preserves fish stocks and ensures the competitiveness of fishing enterprises. This benefits consumers, who have access to quality fish products that are sourced locally and fully respect high environmental, social and health standards.

5. Are you concerned by the apparent reduction in the legislative output of the Commission in recent weeks and months due to the Refit exercise? Do you expect this to continue and will this impact on your committee's workload? If so, how?

The reduction in legislative proposals has had a limited impact on Parliament's fisheries committee.

Several dossiers are crucial for the proper implementation of the new common fisheries policy - for example, technical measures, multiannual management plans and updating control rules. We certainly aren't short on work.

Full story courtesy of The Parliament.

Seafood Cornwall Training newsletter and commercial fishing course news.

Check this months SCT newsletter.

The Seafish three-week Introduction to Commercial Fishing course is for new entrants to the fishing industry. The course consists of two weeks shore-based training (covering safety, gear and catch handling, net mending, rope work and navigation) and one week of mandatory safety courses (Sea Survival, Fire Fighting, First Aid, Health and Safety) and the Seafish Basic Fishing Vessel Stability course.

This induction course will suit both youngsters looking for a career at sea in the fishing industry and older candidates who are looking for a career change and interested in commercial fishing as an occupation. Based in Newlyn, Cornwall.

Can anyone identify the maker or the boat this model is based on?

PZ10 - Looking over the stem of the model from the Ship Inn, Mousehole.

Any information about the above model, which for many years was on display in the Ship Inn, Mousehole would be gratefully received. See additional views in the image gallery.