Politicians talking talking pollack.

 

BBC1 Spotlight South West hosted a discussion on the pollack situation - where, as of January 1st 2024, a zero quota for pollack will be enforced. 

The Maverick fishes all year round for pollack using rod and line.

For many inshore fishermen this move could put some fishermen out of business - some like Dave Smith from Newlyn fish exclusively for pollack all year round and is one of the fishermen hit the hardest by such a draconian move. 

When fishing, the fish are kept in insulated tubs full of slush ice to keep the pollack in the best possible condition to land to the market at Newlyn.

There were also some serious mis-quotes during the conversation that need addressing - as one online commentator said "A worrying situation not helped by a confusing article. It's #pollack (not pollock) & I'm pretty sure Mike Cohen is quoted out context talking about Fisheries Management Plans"

Jerry Percy penned his thoughts in an open letter to Defra on the Government's line since Brexit (when they promised to "take back control") and the recently announced Fisheries Management Plan. A moot point missed by some during the Brexit campaigns and after was that the overall Total Allowable Catch quotas, by which the EU (and the UK) adhere to, are set by ICES - and not the EU.

Latest news - Fisheries management plans.

Fisheries management plans (FMPs) set out the plans and policies to secure the long-term sustainability of UK fish stocks.

Fisheries management plans (FMPs) are evidence-based action plans, developed in collaboration with the fishing sector and other stakeholders. Their purpose is to deliver sustainable fisheries for current and future generations.


The first 5 FMPs were published in December 2023.

• Bass fisheries management plan

• Channel demersal non-quota species fisheries management plan 

• Crab and Lobster FM for English waters

• King scallop fisheries management plan

• Whelk fisheries management plan for English waters

FMP consultations

All fisheries management plans (FMPs) will go through a public consultation, giving interested parties the opportunity to give their views.

Consultations for the first 6 FMPs opened in July 2023 and closed on 1 October 2023.

We are still analysing responses to the consultation on the Southern North Sea and Eastern Channel mixed flatfish FMP.

Southern North Sea and Eastern Channel mixed flatfish: proposed fisheries management plan consultation


The Fisheries Act 2020 requires the UK fisheries policy authorities (Defra, and the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) to publish fisheries management plans (FMPs) to help deliver our ambition for sustainable fisheries.

This paper sets out how Defra will prepare and publish its FMPs for the waters around England.

List of Fisheries Management Plans

Fine forecast for #FishyFriday in Newlyn.

Fine mornings in December are something to be cherished...

and with half the fish landed on the market being bass, for some, there was much to smile about...

though mackerel are still proving somewhat elusive...

every bluefin tuna caught by the South West Handline Association boats gets an individual ID tag to add provenance...

before being aded carefully on to the waiting transport...

a handful of inshore trawlers like the Guardian landed a mix of quality fish like monk...

John Dory...

red mullet...

and turbot...

and it's not only Red Bull that gives you wings...

which fish?..

the Karen N gets to see the sunrise...

as does the Crystal Sea...

while the Hosking feet of netters, Stelissa and Silver dawn are all decked out for the Xmas break having fished their last tide before the market closes for the year...

and gone to town on their fancy festive festoonery!..

back in Penzance, the town hall is about to get a makeover.

 

Sardines galore in Newlyn!

It's an early start taking ice for the bluefin tuna boat, Prospector...

as the first of the sardine boas sets up to land at he fish market...

the morning's auction had a good selection of fosh from the beam trawler Cornishman...

which inlcuded some good looking fkats...

and livers...

plenty of big haddock from the netters like the Ocean Breeze...

and cuttles from the beamer...

they're still about...

not so many mackerel though...

but some good shots of line caught squid...

and bass...

there's fresh and there's blood-red fresh...

those pesky dogs are everywhere and impossible to avoid...

hake were plentiful...

as were beam trawl red mullet...

now this specimen was a different kettle of fish - thought to be a member of the jack family = it might look like a member of the tuna family but is in fact a member of the caraingidae not scombridae like mackerl and tuna from Florida!..

so much so that the bible of all saltwater fish bibles had to be consulted - without a definitive answer - even had Lionel flummoxed!..

more hake from the Ocean Pride...

Britannia V...

and Stelissa...

and Ajax...

cracking Cornish plaice...

how about that for a fat sardine?!!...

from the Charlotte Care...

plenty more from the Mayflower...

and Serene Dawn...

Golden Harvest...

and Lyonesse...

as the sun comes up...

keeping an eye on proceedings......

as the morning's work...

is brailed ashore and into the waiting tubs...

all the action in a morning time-lapse - keep an eye out for the seal enjoying a freebie breakfast!