Sun morning in Penzance.

Leaving Penzance early on Sunday morning to catch the tide 'going round the corner', the Padstow dredger Sand Snipe's dry dock refit is over so she heads back to her home port.......

to be followed by the first of the angling parties.......

passing the trainees aboard TS Victory.......

always a new scene on show at the......

PZ Gallery........

with seating provided in which to contemplate the contemplated......

another fish book, Fishy Fishy hits the shelves.......

hope that's not for me.......

a very nautical window in Mount's Bay Trading, Causewayhead.

Fishy Friday II - very much in season from Cornish beaches - Grey Mullet and ratatouille.

This time of year is good for grey mullet - especially those caught off the Scillies or Sennen beach as they are less 'muddy' than those fish that frequent estuaries......

if you are going to prepare the fish yourself rather than have the fishmonger do it for you, don't forget to remove the mullet's big scales - used a zester in this instance!......

the gut cavity should be clean and seasoned with salt and pepper......

select the veg to go with the dish.......

stone the black olives.......

prep the veg........

put half the chopped shallot and garlic and a piece of fennel in the gut cavity.......

cover with the sliced toms, olives and anchovies.......

wrap tightly with foil and bake for around 40 minutes at 170º.........

in this case a surfeit of veg meant that a tatty-rats was on the cards.......

plenty of olly oil.........

and voila!

Friday is fish day.

Abbey Warehouse apartments enjoy basking in the warm glow of the morning sun.....

as the cloud lifts from over Mount's Bay........

the weather was distinctly changeable......

as the cloud descended again in the space of minutes.....

the Medical launch dropped into Newlyn to take on board fuel.......

as the last Lyonesse landed her night's work.......

keeping the sardines well covered with ice.......

and sea water.......

before they are taken off to FalFish.......

with hake prices still on the floor, with even the larger grades of fish going for just over the £2 per kilo mark......

not so big turbot.......

or this fine tub gurnard specimen.........

the sky has that glassy look to it which generally means rain is on the way.......

some boats are doing a good job.......

other's like the Algrie won't be fishing for anything until the restoration work is completed.....

customer's at Tonkin's Fish Shop opposite the market can take advantage f some excellent prices on offer for a fishy Friday.

Cornish Sardines.

With the Cornish Sardine fishery in full swing the local fleet of rin netters are enjoying the occasional good shot of fish. At this time of year, the boats head out through the gaps around 9pm in the evening to search for the shoals of sardines. The tide, weather and activity of other predatory species like dolphins can make finding the fish marks to shoot their nets on a challenging task. In this short video, the latest boat to join the fleet, the White Heather has had a successful night's fishing and is landing an exceptional haul of around 20 tons. The fish are kept in top condition with the addition of slush ice, a mixture of sea water and ice.  

After the fight.

The response to Hugh Fearnely-Whittingstall's latest TV programme, the fight sequel has highlighted the need for more education amongst both the media and the public. Seafish's Phil MacMullen gives a more balanced view than some of the press who, yet again, took much of HFW's programme at face value without appreciating the highly complex nature of managing fish stocks - after all, if it was that simple we would not be in the position we are today.

At the moment, as you are reading this fishing boats off the Cornish coast are in the process of dumping perfectly good haddock back over the side - dead.

Some of the media reports are linked here:

The Guardian

Business Green

Greenpeace

The Mirror

Cornish Fishmonger of the Year 2011 - can you cut the mustard?

The hunt is on to find the finest, fastest fish filleter in the West.

At this year’s Newlyn Fish Festival, taking place on the 29th August at Newlyn Harbour, Seafood Cornwall Training Ltd will host and sponsor the first ever “Cornish Fishmonger of the Year Competition”.

The competition aims to highlight the expertise of filleters and fishmongers from across the county, at the same time, promoting Cornish Fish and the profession to a wider audience.

Commencing at 3.30pm, individuals will compete on behalf of their company / employer for the coveted title. The competition will be judged by a panel of experts, including 5 x National Fishmonger of the Year, Duncan Lucas.

Competitors will be required to demonstrate how to prepare a variety of species and will be judged on their technique, speed and presentation (see full guidelines attached).

Prizes:
Winner
· Individual and company will be awarded with the title “Cornish Fishmonger of the Year 2011”
· £100 cash
· A Zwilling J.A. Henckels Filleting Knife kindly donated by “Pots n Pans” of Barnstaple

Runner up
· Dinner for two at the Navy Inn, Penzance, kindly donated by Chef Keir Miekle
· A Zwilling J.A. Henckels Filleting Knife, kindly donated by “Pots n Pans” of Barnstaple

To enter:
Please print off the entry form and guidelines attached (pdf) and return to Seafood Cornwall Training. 
Entry to the Fish Festival and the competition will be free of charge for all competitors.
Closing date for all entries: 22nd August 2011

For more info:
Telephone: 01736 364324
Email:  sarah@seafoodcornwalltraining.co.uk
Visit: www.seafoodcornwalltraining.co.uk/news

Mid week pickings.

 Fishing for litter on the prom......

 the two training ships, TS Victory and TS Liverman in Newlyn.........

 freshly zinc painted.......

a red trio........

 Butts been in bass action again.....

 more quality inshore fish.......

 the local Cornish Sardine fleet have been joined by the Silver Star.......

busy landing her night's work......

as is the Lyonesse.......

alongside the ice works.