Fish - kitchen secrets from Raymond Blanc on BBC TV

Second programme in the Kitchen Secrets series where top chef Raymond Blanc lifts the lid on the secrets of prime piscine platters. Last night's fish dishes included a dish with a line caught pollack from Cornwall - it's a shame Raymond didn't show the fish before it had been descaled - it looked like it had just come from the cod end of a beam trawler working on sandy ground - compare that to the superb shiny line caught fish that Quentin Knights is holding below!
Other recipes included dover sole, turbot and a fish soup with gurnard, grey and red mullet

Potentially more money coming Newlyn's way.

Another round of European funding looks set for Penzance and Newlyn with news of a Cornwall Council project to review the business potential for the two ports and their surrounding areas.

Anyone with an interest in what has been achieved to date and a chance to join some workshops is encouraged to attend an evening session on Wednesday 10 March from 7pm – 9pm at The Ballroom, Queen’s Hotel, Penzance where a summary of the workshop discussions will be provided and any initial thoughts and ideas examined.

Cornish Tuna backed by Consols

Well known supplier of fuel oil to the fishing fleet, Consol's Oils have invested in Cornish Tuna and the Ben Loyal, ex netter turned tuna pole and line boat. Company boss and ex-fisherman Kevin Bennetts explains here the thinking behind his personal investment in the future of fishing in the port.

Waiting for news from the MFA.

There is expectation in the air today as Newlyn waits for news from the Marine and Fisheries Agency with regard to the new fish auction and market buildings, currently in their third round of approval.With Newlyn's ageing fish market and harbour at the heart of the community, modernisation of both the fish market infrastructure and working practices are long overdue to keep the port in its number one spot as England's largest fishing port by turnover.

It's the seine the whole world over......

Netters quick off the mark get their fish back to market mid tide......
looking lean, a rare box of mackerel on the market......
filling the best part of the eastern end of the marke, seine net fish from the Irish vesel, Roise Caitriona.....
with a good slection of fish from whiting......
to haddock......
with some boxes of big haddock......
and plenty of pin hake that given the current market conditions in Spain might struggle to find buyers.....
one or two big cod get the measuring board......
the Tiree registered boat arrived and landed on Sunday morning......
showing off her traditional seiner's round stern....... all the village flags fly at half-mast today to mark the funeral of Tony Stevenson who died last week. Apart from his exploits on the rugby pitch playing for the famous Penzance & Newlyn Pirates and his involvement with swimming and watersports, Tony was a senior partner of WS Stevenson & Sons where his role encompassed the shore side of fish handling, transport and the fish auction.

Star gazey pie with modern twist.

This weekend's Saturday Morning kitchen with James Martin starred local fish Cornish Sardines. Top chef, Tristan Welch conjured up a modern twist on the dish known as Star Gazey Pie, so named because the heads of the fish look out from the pie crust and gaze upwards - at the stars. This dish is traditionally eaten and served on Tom Bawcock's night, celebrated in Mousehole the night before Christmas Eve.

Fine weather for the weekend.

Low early morning temperatures for the Gary M as she fires up the main engine......
thanks to a generous donation courtesy of Nick Howell from the auction of the now closed Pilchard Works Museum, the Mission now sports new tables and chairs.......
NP&HC flag flies at half mast over the harbour offices.......
a reminder that up to 90% of fish from Newlyn is still exported......
visiting mid-water trawler Manx Ranger from Mevagissey........
the unmistakable yellow boxes from the Elizabeth N make their way aboard the lorry......
where they will be taken to Plymouth market for auction, news due out on Monday may see that changing in the future......
boxes of Cornish Sardines ready to go.