"Newlyn harbour set to grow"

Harbourmaster, Jonathon Poynter (2nd left) recently met with local MP Derek Thomas and Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper.

Newlyn played host to BBC Radio Cornwall's Breakfast Show this morning which gave harbourmaster Jonathon Poynter a chance to outline the harbour commissioner's ambitious plans to become more than just England's top fishing port.

 

(Click to listen)

Despite increasing pressure from incoming second-home owners, Airbnbs and holiday lets, Newlyn is still very much a thriving working port and perfectly situated ready to grow dramatically as the need to develop green energy drives the blue economy.

Listen to the rest of Breakfast Show with voices from the new fish auction, Newlyn Filmhouse, fishing net recycling FishyFilaments, spider crab picking skills and the work being done fo the well-being of both working and retired fishermen in the port.

An overview of the Sandy Cove proposals can be seen here:

Apply now! SAMPLING SCHEME FOR SMALL-EYED RAY IN THE WESTERN ENGLISH CHANNEL

The government has limited the amount of small-eyed ray (RJE) that can be caught in the western English Channel. This is to allow scientists to learn more about this fish.

Scientists are looking for commercial fishermen who fish close to shore to help them gather information. They want to know what other types of skates are in the area, along with the size, sex, and biology of the small-eyed ray itself.

The scientists from Cefas will be working with fishermen all along the western English Channel, focusing on these four specific areas:

(a) Mounts Bay area (southern part of ICES Rectangle 29E4)

(b) St Austell Bay to Whitsand Bay area (within ICES Rectangle 29E5)

(c) Bigbury Bay to Start Bay area (within ICES Rectangle 29E6)

(d) Lyme Bay area (within ICES Rectangle 30E7)

You'll use your knowledge of small-eyed ray and other inshore ray species to help scientists catch them for data collection.

Scientists want to know:

• What other types of skates and rays are caught in specific areas (weight by species). They'll record the exact location (latitude, longitude, and depth) where you catch fish.
• The size (length) of male and female small-eyed ray, and whether they're kept or thrown back (discarded).
• How many fish you catch and discard on each trip, and how much effort you put into fishing (e.g., number of hooks used, fishing time).
• You might also help collect biological samples from the fish, as agreed with the scientists.

• You can fish your usual spots, following local fishing rules.
• You can land some of the fish you catch for the program, but there's a limit per trip, month, and boat.
• Any small-eyed ray you land counts towards the total allowed catch (quota) for the area.
• Before starting, you'll attend a short training session to learn how to collect data and agree on a detailed plan with scientists.

To participate, you must:

• Have at least 3 years of experience catching skates and rays in the specific areas they're interested in.
• Have a quota for the area (SRX/67AKXD).
• Be flexible to collect samples throughout a period to be agreed upon.

Note: There might be more details about specific requirements in the application materials

Defra will prefer applications from those inshore vessels most affected by the current restrictions on landing small-eyed ray.

To register your interest, please email procure@cefas.gov.uk as follows by Wednesday 22 May 2024 at 23:00.

I would like to register to receive an application pack for the self-sampling scheme for small-eyed ray in the western English Channel, ICES division 7e. The area I am interested in is: 

a) Mounts Bay, 

b) St Austell Bay to Whitsand Bay 

c) Bigbury Bay to Start Bay or 

d) Lyme Bay (please select as appropriate).

Only those who register an interest will be provided with an application pack.

Timeline

May 10th – Opening Date to register interest.

May 22nd – Closing date to register interest (by 23:00)

May 23rd – Application Pack issued to those registered.

June 2nd – Closing date for submitting applications (by 23:00)

June 17th to 21st – Vessels selected and advised

Early July – Scheme to commence (after letters of dispensation issued and Detailed Operations Plan agreed)

How the weather doth change! Monday morning in Newlyn.

Smart moves on the market this Monday morning...

sorting out the hake...

and monk...

from the haddock...

witches...

and megrims...

a few craws are crawling...

it's a wrap...

beam trawl monk tails too...

and more hake...

always HG Wells...

monsters of the deep...

name the fish that some cannot land and others can...

big, beautiful bass...

happiness is spiderman Tom, like a dog with two...

just a handful of prawn boats...

in a rain-swept harbour this morning.

 

STABILITY AWARENESS AND ADVANCED STABILITY AWARENESS FOR EXPERIENCED FISHERMEN - sign up now!

Stability Awareness Courses

These two courses are both required for the U16.5m Skippers Ticket.

The aim of these courses is to increase crew members’ understanding of how the stability of a fishing vessel is maintained. They are intended for skippers of vessels less than 16.5m and for anyone taking a navigational watch on any vessel.

COURSE DURATION 1 Day

COST £140 (Funding Available)

BOOK YOUR PLACE

Stability Awareness for Experienced Fishermen Course Content

On completion of this course, you will understand:

• The extent of the effects of poor vessel stability to deaths in the fishing industry
• Stability hazards, risk, and the risk equation

• How to mitigate against risk and the risk spectrum

• The forces that affect the stability of fishing vessels

• Stability and the terms used to describe vessel stability

• How external forces, the transverse movement of weight, the FSE and the up-ward movement of weights form stability hazards

• How the principles of stability apply to deck and below deck operations

• How to minimise the risks associated with deck and below deck operations

• How vessel watertight and weathertight integrity is maintained

• How to monitor vessel stability using the Wolfson Guidance

• The stability implications of alternative deck procedures.

• How the application of the relevant Regulations, Codes of Practice and guidance helps maintain vessel stability Examination Type

Candidates must complete a 30 question multiple choice exam.

To apply for your place or find out more: 01736 364324

info@seafoodcornwalltraining.co.uk

Fine #FishyFriday morning in Newlyn.

Always good to see those contrails high in the sky over the harbour, a sure sign of warm weather and sunshine for the coming weekend...

looks like these guys got themselves some sunburn...

head-on monk, must be another Scotsman landing to the market...

more red mullet...

and seasonal John Dory...

though it's early days yet for any big landings...

a good shot of whiting from the prawn boat...

and a good run of megs...

to go with even more haddock...

the quays are packed with boats over the big spring tide...

last of the hake for the week...

a brace of specimen cuttles...

ad a handful of bass...

to go with some still elusive line caught mackerel...

monster Mediterranean octopus...

just a few of the prawn fleet at rest...

a daring-duo indeed...

it's time for the lighthouse to get a paint job...

as a visiting German yacht leaves, 

followed by some very much looking forwards to the start of this year's bluefin tuna season...

some of the Twilight's deck gear is getting the once-over

two visiting prawn boats in the harbour for the first time, the Jacqueline Anne FR243

and FR70, the Odyssey.

 

World Fishing Day at the memorial, Newlyn.

 

The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible. But they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.​ ​

Vincent van GOGH

Hydrogen power: the future of fishing? New report compares alternative fuel sources for UK fleet

Fisheries Innovation & Sustainability (FIS) has unveiled its latest report taking a practical look at decarbonising the UK fishing fleet, this time comparing hydrogen fuel as an option to deliver net-zero fishing vessels. Produced by experts at Macduff Ship Design, and with support from Marine Fund Scotland, the research provides detailed vessel specifications, and - by drawing comparisons with previous research into the opportunities offered by battery-electric power, methanol, and liquified natural gas options - calls for crucial information to help fishing businesses stay safe and competitive as net zero deadlines approach.

With the net-zero commitments of 2045 for Scotland and 2050 for England on the horizon, this hydrogen-focused report builds on the momentum generated by FIS during previous stages of this project, including identifying critical barriers to achieving net zero emissions, paving the way for the development of six unique, alternatively-powered vessel designs.

This ‘Stage 3 Concept Design Project’ introduces three more innovative vessel designs, powered by hydrogen. By comparing the new specifications with a diesel ‘parent vessel’, and with previous ‘Stage 2’ designs under the same project, the research offers insights into the financial and operational implications of hydrogen as a fuel source for different vessel types, and different fishing patterns.

Duncan Boag, Naval Architect at Macduff Ship Design, emphasised the significance of these designs, stating, "These new designs for hydrogen-fuelled vessels represent another important step in mapping out the practicalities of the net zero transition for the UK fishing fleet. Hydrogen has promise for fishing vessels with relatively short operational cycles, and can extend the range in comparison to battery electric versions. In general, the hydrogen power option means a reduction in both hold space and duration of the fishing cycle. In instances where this reduced operation aligns with an owner’s requirement, a hydrogen solution may emerge as a competitive alternative to other fuel options. The new hydrogen designs are all viable from a development perspective, but they each pose technical, regulatory, and financial challenges for the industry that must be addressed."

Taking the unique requirements of various fishing vessel types into account, and despite challenges such as increased complexity and reduced range compared to other fuel options, hydrogen remains an attractive option in the future due to its anticipated low cost and widespread availability compared to other alternative fuels.

Executive Director of FIS, Kara Brydson, underscored the importance of addressing such barriers, stating, 

"This programme of work is right at the core of FIS’ mission, helping UK fishing stay safe and competitive as it adopts alternative fuels to catch low carbon, nutritious seafood. The detail can seem overwhelming when there are so many variations in vessel type and fishing activity around our coast - that’s why we chose to dive in with direct comparisons to active vessels, and explore all possible impacts of business viability, safety, and feasibility from a regulatory and infrastructure perspective. Fishing vessel owners are forward looking, but they’re also practical people who want answers on future fuel costs, availability, and access.”

To support UK fishing vessel owners in transitioning away from fossil fuel diesel, the report introduces a roadmap, identifying essential short, medium, and long-term actions. These recommendations range from studies on future fuel infrastructure to collaborative projects building vital demonstrator vessels.

“We’ve outlined steps to help fishing vessel owners make informed choices on this transition, in a relevant timeframe. Brydson comments, “There’s an urgency to this - vessels being built right now will still be fishing as we hit decarbonisation deadlines, so we need practical details of what must happen, and in what order, to help the UK seafood industry plan from here to net zero.