A triple whammy for Newlyn -despite the date!

Shaun Edwards, skipper of the Nova Spero with his 'Coruna' albacore tuna.

On the same day that the new Newlyn Harbour Commissioners took the hugely brave decision and voted to say no (by one vote) to 3.5 million pounds of grants and loans on offer for a new fish market - after 8 years and nearly 3 million pounds of fishermen's money had been spent on consultants' fees and feasibility studies - two environmentally friendly and sustainable fisheries championed by young Newlyn skippers and others get a real boost as the MSC give the thumbs up to Cornish Sardines and major supermarket chain Morrisons market the 'Coruna' brand of Cornish Albacore tuna - let's hope Quentin comes home with some for them!

Cornish Sardines from the ringnetter, Pride of Cornwall.

Back to the Commissioner's decision and the new fish-market-in-waiting:

What might seem to some an illogical decision by the new commissioners - turning down millions of pounds of funding for a new fish market - simply reflects their desire to start afresh, free from any encumbrances from the past - even if, at present, it might be hard to see that purely on financial terms with regard to the building of a new market. Instead, the commissioners have pledged to work closely with the fishermen and give them a market they say they need. The potential to maximise the potential of the harbour's assets by redeveloping existing harbour property and to expand its activities alongside fishing with educational and training facilities for fishing, commercial and leisure marine trades, heritage and art facilities, retail and other fish related businesses will all be considered by the new team.

The most welcome news is that in the last few weeks the new transparency with which the commissioners are operating has already set a precedent. With the public admitted to commissioner meetings, holding surgery style meetings open to any harbour users to attend and being involved in open and frank talks with them and a web site that publishes information and the minutes of meetings - all unheard of in the past - harbour users not only feel that they are now involved and have a say they can also can begin to develop faith and confidence in the new board and its intentions.


Evidence that the new broom is sweeping clean will be judged on results during this early honeymoon period for Gilbert McCabe and his fellow commissioners.

The press release from NHPC with regard to the decision taken on Friday to go ahead without the funding reads as follows:

Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners

Friday, 13th August 2010

The Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners met today and reaffirmed their commitment to drive forward the regeneration of Newlyn harbour as a matter of urgency. The Commission voted against "accepting the offers of grants from EFF and ERDF, and the offers in principle from Cornwall Council, to build the proposed new fish market".

This bold decision means we can now move forward, at a pace, without being tied to plans for a specific building, making creative use of our assets. This decision is based on nine weeks' work, since the new Commission came into being, using external specialists to appraise our financial health, as well as the current and potential value of our assets. We have determined that at this point we are not in a sufficiently strong position to commit to loan repayments over a period of 15 years that would tie our assets into that loan, leaving us little room to run the harbour as successfully as possible, or to address our other responsibilities. We are clear that we need to achieve our purposes differently and will continue to consult regularly with users of the harbour. We acknowledge the valuable work on regeneration proposals carried out by many people over previous years.

Gilbert McCabe, Chairman of the Commissioners, said 'we are very aware of the wishes of the wider community to see a new market built as the first stepping stone of regeneration; there is far less support from the fishing industry for the current proposal, but it also is looking for progress. We are resolved immediately to prepare a long-term business plan for the harbour that will have benefits for all stakeholders. That business plan will make clear how the Commissioners will deliver a fit-for-purpose market, and other community and stakeholder benefits, from a position of strength. It will also encompass plans to secure a viable future for the fishing industry and all its dependants, by seeking to run a successful harbour and market, and to develop the fishing industry in Newlyn'.

The priorities for the new Commissioners are to be transparent in how we conduct our business, to listen, to be visible and approachable: and to build a new future for Newlyn from a position of strength owned and understood by all. Our intention is to publish our business plan by Christmas, which will highlight to all members of the community our intention of achieving our goals in a more coherent and financially sustainable manner.

For further information, 

contact Andrew Munson, Harbour Master and Commissioner

01736 362523

andrewmunson@btconnect.com

Cornish Sardines get full MSC approval.

                            

Cornish sardines pass full MSC assessment

CORNWALL’S iconic sardine fishery has  passed its Marine Stewardship Council assessment and been certified as a  sustainable and well-managed fishery. The fishery – which recently gained  European geographic designation as ‘Cornish Sardines’ can now add the  MSC ecolabel to its products. The Cornish sardine fishery first  started a trial MSC assessment in 2008, in a pilot programme to develop a  way for data deficient fisheries – often found in the developing world –  to be able to achieve MSC certification . After performing well in the  ‘Risk-Based framework’ assessment, Cornish sardines went on to pass the  regular MSC assessment. The Cornish sardine fleet currently  consists of 6 vessels using ring nets and a further 10 vessels catching  sardines with drift nets. Boats sail mainly from Newlyn and Mevagissey  and stay in inshore waters – within six miles of land. The sardines they  catch are significantly larger than the minimum size allowed and are  proving popular with restaurants and retailers. Nick Howell, Chairman of the Cornish  Sardine Management Association says: “We are delighted that this  traditional Cornish fishery has been certified by the MSC and of course  that would not have been possible without the support of Marks &  Spencer and Seafish who have both helped us with funding. “ Toby Middleton, UK Country Manager for  the MSC says: “Cornish sardine is an iconic fishery and this  certification represents a great deal of hard work and solid management  by the Cornish Sardine Management Association. In the process of getting  certified, the CSMA fishermen have also helped to pilot a process that  will help fellow fishermen and women in the developing world to start to  get their fisheries certified, bringing management and economic  benefits that would, previously, have been unavailable to them. CSMA members can feel justifiably proud  of this certification and the work they have done to achieve it. I am  confident that they will soon start to reap their rewards with interest  in the fishery growing in national and international quarters.” Jon Harman, Development Director for  Seafish says: “Seafish helped fund the development of a tool to help  assess the stock status of the data-deficient Cornish sardine fishery.  We recognised the need to trial a tool, to an international standard,  for fisheries facing challenges in the amount of data available. This  was an important stepping stone to MSC certification and we are pleased  that Cornish sardines have now been approved to MSC standard after being  reviewed by this new process.”

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A decision taken on behalf of Newlyn's next generation of fishermen......

Later today, Newlyn Harbour Commissioners meet with Cornwall Council as the talks to go ahead with the new Fish Market enter their final days.....

in the harbour, a skipper walks his youngest, one of the next generation of fishermen, down the quay to the boat pack on back and ready to give dad a hand for the day - dad's boat being one of those that currently land away to Plymouth market because of the better facilities and service they provide - but would return as soon as the planned new fish market building for Newlyn promises to match or better Plymouth, in doing so the new operation will cater for.....

boats like the Spitfire one of 40 or so punts and inshore boats that fish for line caught MSC accredited fish like mackerel, bass and pollack.......

a proper fuel service to end the gamut of lorries fighting for space on the quay........

cold storage for the Mike Rowse's fleet of crabbers' bait supplies and a chilled area to land their shellfish into.......

more hoists to end Ian Mitchell's backbreaking job of hand-balling gear aboard the boat.....

or the two new grading machines that will also grade mackerel and even crabs are in the plans.......

and a properly laid out throughput for fish to end the dragging of stacked fish boxes across a chaotic market floor - Sam's back would really appreciate that - and,as as Freddy Howis famously observed many years ago, "100 years ago they had donkeys pull fish for sale".......

and having looked after high quality fish like these cracking langoustine, the boats want to see them kept in chilled conditions to maintain that quality.......

not likely to happen in the current market where the fish are exposed to the elements while waiting for auction and then on to be taken for packing.

Cheers!

A quiet Thursday market with the promise of at least four beamers to land on Friday.....

inshore trawler skipper Plugger is keen to see the new fish market development go ahead as he prepares to anti-foul the Shiralee's hull......

ahead of him, one of the old timers, the Anthony has an electric bilge pump going - she must have the cleanest bilge in the harbour by now.......

bad news for the Manx Ranger, towed in by the Lizard lifeboat with suspected burnt out clutch plates......

cast against the morning sun.......

there's a rigging job and plenty of eyes to be spliced aboard the newly launched Holly Mae......

how good is your Breton? - when in Brittany it is customary, when drinking with others, to raise your glass and utter these words - almost the same meaning in Welsh!

Duck Race - your chance for a fun-filled family event.

Support Newlyn's Christmas harbour lights.

Bet big bucks and be the first duck to make it down to the sea - unmissable fun!

Certified! - Cornish Sardines - another triumph for teamwork in Newlyn!

Working together as a team has paid off for local catchers, merchants and other interested parties so that now the Cornish Sardine Fishery has been certified for a further five years - read the full account here on the MSC web site.

Holly Mae launced in Penzance wet dock.

After toasting with a bottle of bubbles, well wishers flocked aboard the Holly Mae after she was lifted into the water.....

and a steady stream of admirers stepped aboard for a closer look......

before her mast was dropped into place.

The number of traditional boats in the Bay increases steadily year on year - next week the Happy Return will sail for the Filets Bleus Festival in Comcarneau.