It is that time of year again, the mackerel are coming!

The first post to the 'Through the Gaps' blog using a mobile phone - uploaded from the quay seconds after the photo was taken - the wonders of modern technology - a Samsung i900 Omnia for those who are interested!

Seems there's a crucial piece of kit missing aboard the boat at present.

Spirit of Mystery update

The Spirit of mystery has made an earlier has expected landfall to drop the injured Mark Maidment - check out the Mystery blog for the full story.

Mousehole's harbourmaster waits in the wings.

The stern countenance of trawler skipper Edwin, Mousehole's new harbourmaster-to-be graces the Mission dining room in Newlyn.

Newlyn bags the litter bug!

Sarah Henshall, from the Cornwall Fisheries Resource Centre has masterminded the litter campaign here in the west of Cornwall.

Next Friday, March 13th, Fishing for Litter South West, an initiative to help clear the sea of rubbish, will be officially launched at Newlyn.

Fishing for Litter South West is enlisting the help of local fishermen and encouraging them to bring ashore litter caught in their nets during fishing.

Local fishermen are supplied with special large hard wearing 0.5t or 1.0t bags which they take out with them so that they can easily collect marine litter that they find at sea. The bags are then brought into harbour and deposited on the quayside where the rubbish is collected and recycled or disposed of responsibly.

The project is based upon Fishing for Litter Scotland which has been in operation for over 3 years. Scotland's fishermen, from 16 major ports and from over 110 vessels, have removed over 150 tonnes of litter. As well as being harmful to the marine environment, litter can pose a serious risk by causing entanglement or breakdown of vessels at sea.

Fishing For Litter South West is coordinated by Seafood Cornwall Training Ltd, Newlyn. Further information can be found at http://www.fishingforlitter.org

Going, going, Grimmy going......

There won't be many more time when we see Grimmy Mike leaving his wheelhouse given that he has successfully obtained decommsssioning for his boat - what will the visiting yelow wellies do for dog leads in the future?.....
out in the bay another coaster sits at anchor....
the Sennen boat is back in newlyn.

Injured Mark Maidment still waiting to be airlifted from the Spirit of Mystery

Latest satellite postion of the Spirit of Mystery.

While the weather continues to dominate proceedings down under the Melbourne Water Police are hoping to send a boat out to meet the Spirit of Mystery and take off Pete Goss' brother-in-law, Mark Maidment. It was hoped to send a helicopter but, as his condition is said to be comfortable and an airlift always a risky exercise in heavy seas, the boat will continue towards her destination before rendezvouing with the rescue craft. Current news from the Pete Goss blog - click here.

Listen to Australia's 3AW693 Newstalk's Ross and Jon talk to Stuart Elford, the projects onshore co-ordinator in a live telephone interview.

Tranquil

Looking across the back of St Michael's Mount towards Mousehole presents a tranquil scene this morning.....
though with the shellfish boats back in port things may be different further off!