Surfeit of silver.

Around three thousand kilos of the finest Cornish grey mullet graced the market this morning courtesy of the Sennen Cove Beach Boys.....

the Charisma from Padstow makes an early start.........

one prize tub gurnard fights its way from a box of lesser fellow red gurnards.......

at the other end of the market a mass of silver - top of the range bass from the local handliners out in force over the weekend on some big fishing.....

with many of these quality fish sure to be headed for the top restaurants and fish shops in the big smoke - no doubt a few of these will be gracing the slab of Chelsea Fishmonger Rex Goldsmith's emporii (if that's the plural for more than one emporium)........

in the black again......

whiting being graded the easy way.......

there's a bit more festive cheer around the harbour now that the tinsel has been added to the tree......

time to stock up with seasonal pickled products from the Cornish Pickle Company.......

just one of the pictures up for auction at WH Lanes.

Cod cuts about as palatable as cod liver oil?

Netters using bigger meshes catch bigger fish like these two lonely looking big cod.......

....whereas boats targetting fish like red mullet with smaller meshes will not catch the bigger fish.

Ahead of tomorrow' annual EU quota talks fishermen are lobbying hard for south west cod quotas not to be cut. This year has seen a sharp increase in the spread of juvenile cod being caught across the ICES Area VII.  Cheryl Murray conservative MP for South Est Cornwall appeared on the Politics Show in defence of likely cuts. A scientist spokesperson said he would like to see fishermen given more say in managing their own quotas on a regional basis - that would receive wide support but would entail the getting together of several nations around the negotiating table to hammer out.

There are many reasons why juvenile cod are evident this year, diminished fishing effort from a much reduced French, Belgian and Dutch fleet, environmental factors like sea temperature or migratory patterns.

A short report from Martin Oates for BBC South-West sees him talking to Helford fisherman Chris Bean aboard the Lady Hamilton - who finds twice as many cod in his nets as red mullet - his target fish! Although the the cod caught by Chris Bean are small - this is accounted for by the small mesh of his nets.

Heavy fishing according to Vessel Tracker.

Almost all the vessels tracked by the VesselTracker AIS west side of the Scillies are engaged in fishing this morning, a mixture of French and Irish trawlers - where are the Newlyn boys - forgot, we only have one trawler left!

A tale of two signs.

 The lost ........

 more litter on the beach......

 and more.......

 time for the netter Nova Spero to ice and away.......

 some Christmas trees require a little assistance to get the fairylights......

 to the top........

 last chance to bag a bargain at Badcock's annual postcard charity sale - as ever for Shelterbox........

on the left, from the 1960s, on the right circa 1970 - the PO.

Badcock's Gallery to close in the New Year.

The Christmas Postcard Show

Take a last chance now to browse contemporary art work in the comfort of Badcock's Gallery - this year's annual postcard exhibition is due to run untill the new Year when the gallery's doors will close for the last time.

After 10 years as the only independent art gallery in Newlyn promoting local artists, Nickie Carlyon has decided to close her showcase shopfront; Newlyn will miss the constantly changing shop windows that have helped promote a wide range of work and styles from local artists.

Locals and visitors alike will have to wait and see what venture replaces the world of 21st century art!

A fish like Allis.

Taking stock of the morning market before the auction begins.......

as the buyers move off to bid......

one conger per box.......

spotted, a couple of interlopers........

fill 'er up Mr Heltor fuel man.......

could be salt, could be ice........

not oftn you catch more than the odd allis shad per trip.......

 

what's Mr Tonkin up to?...........

all in aid of the Mission........

don't forget the figgy puddin'.........

counting down the days.

Nathan Outlaw does 100% fish.

Latest news from top Cornish chef at Restaurant Nathan Outlaw is that, from now on, his eateries at Roc's St Enodoc Hotel will focus on fresh fish from local boats. These days it has become increasingyly common for restaurant and hotel chefs to source their daily requirements locally, in some cases from a handful of boats that specialise in catching a select range species like mackerel and bass.