Through the Gaps - Mevagissey way.

 Tell-tale signs that there's a few Cornish Sardines about..........

 at the foot of every netter's dhan there's an old sash window weight.........

 John Moore's boatshed is currently home to a couple of classic looking sailboats.......

 right next to the excellent Mevagissey Museum - and still entrance is free........

 these days there's a growing fleet of inshore trawlers in the port........

 providing the odd unusual specimen for the Aquarium.........

 looking crowded from every angle.........

 enough to keep the harbour office busy.........

 those ubiquitous bongos are everywhere........

 two classic Mevagissey toshers........

 ding a roaring trade on an autumnal morning.........

 now that's something to shout about it seems.......

 everything to keep the kids happy down by the sea........

and plenty of new places to feed them too, from pannis to 'ansom cream teas!

Friday's market full of fish.

Good fishing from the beamer St Georges pretty much filled half the auction floor........

and the big trawl fish boat's trip was complimented by some strong landings of superb quality squid.......

and shining hake from the netter Ajax..........

out in the gloom last minute preparations aboard the leased crabber Chris Tacha mean it's nearly time for her to get underway........

there's light aboard the salvage/survey vessel Northern Solan which hopefully means the spare parts that have been driven down from the Orkneys where she is based will mean she is able to continue on passage soon......

with almost 100% cloud cover there is evidence of plenty of shipping traffic out in the Bay.

Marine Protected Areas - a step too far?

Ministers have been warned aquatic reserves off the Westcountry coast risk undermining vital shipping, fishing and leisure industries.
Conservative MP Sarah Newton has claimed many proposed marine conservation zones are “inappropriate” and causing a “huge outcry” in coastal communities.

 

Last month, plans were published that could see 25 per cent of the UK’s seas protected – a vast increase on 1 per cent at present – to provide sanctuary for wildlife and habitats. It is a result of legislation passed under Labour. A total of 58 aquatic national parks are earmarked for the South West, much to the delight of conservation groups, and now await Government approval. But in a House of Commons debate, Mrs Newton, MP for Truro and Falmouth, said the proposals risked jeopardising livelihoods and coastal regeneration. The highest level of protection could be placed on part of the Fal estuary, which the town council claims threatens “350 years of history and shipping power”, MPs heard.

A total of 13 underwater areas in the South West have been named “reference” sites – zones where any exploitation or damage by industry, such as dredging, will be banned. They include Lyme Bay off the south coast of Devon and Dorset, an area close to Lundy in the Bristol Channel and the Erme estuary, South Devon.

Mrs Newton said: “I am sure that Falmouth and other parts of Cornwall are not the only coastal communities that feel that the current recommended sites for marine protected areas are inappropriate.” While supportive of the principle of conservation zones, she added there was concern that plans fail to “strike the right balance between sustainable economic, social and environmental protection”. In Falmouth, a £100 million plan to lure cruise liners and large ships to the town awaits approval to dredge the docks to create a deep water channel. But the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), the Government agency that licences marine activity, is concerned over the environmental impact.

In Mrs Newton’s Commons adjournment debate, she said there should be a “level playing field” when the MMO – which will eventually be charged with maintaining the integrity of the conservation zones – takes evidence. She suggested that academics and businesses are not on “equal terms” with conservation bodies such as Natural England. Mrs Newton – who pointed out yacht builders, Olympic sailors and the Navy all operate from Falmouth’s waters – also said there should be greater opportunity for appeals against applications thrown out.

Another recommended “reference” site is Cape Bank off Land’s End, Cornwall. Andrew George, Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives, whose constituency it falls within, said appeals were necessary. He added: “Low-impact fishing takes place (at Cape Bank) at the moment, but that would be stopped, with the unintended consequence of discouraging the very type of fishing that I should have thought the (2009 Marine and Coastal Access) Act was intended to protect.” But Dr Jean-Luc Solandt, of the Marine Conservation Society, said Falmouth seabed’s “unique and fragile habitat” and “rich” wildlife needs more protection. He said: “A rather small area of sea has been proposed for protection, following recent consultations carried out throughout England.”

In the Commons, Environment Minister Richard Benyon said the MMO was “acutely aware” of the impact of its decisions. Proposals for a total of 127 zones drawn-up by independent bodies sit on the minister’s desk following a “tortuous process with many hours of work”, Mr Benyon said. “I stress, ministers themselves will examine all the evidence before deciding which sites to put forward for public consultation,” he added.

Article courtesy of the Western Morning News.

Ajax AH32 - 24 hours steaming - the binge workers are away again!

Living the dream...........

after steaming for more than 10 hours to land her mid-tide trip of hake into Newlyn, the Ajax is now outbound and heading back to the fishing grounds where her gear is still 'fishing' anchored to the bottom. Always a concern when a netter does this is that a Spanish or French trawler will tow through the nets without ralising they are there. Netters will work together in this regard and share information by giving each other the position of a 'box' - the lattitude and longitude readings for the four corners of an imaginery box drawn around the extremities of the tiers of nets - allowing an extra distance to provide further protection.

Trials and tales.

Tom keeps watch under the light from an early morning moon.........

and at this time of year, for the benefit of all those afloat, Orion, sometimes known as the sailors constellation as it is visible in both the northern and southern hemispheres and therefore a reminder of home.......

with a handful of boxes on the market the buyers whisk away the fish as it is sold........

only this big bass looks like it has Chelsea written all over it.......

there were  a few dozen boxes of langoustine including several boxes of tails, some of the tails being  berried.......

good looking langoustine should have made good money........

red flags alongside the fish market keeping all vessels clear of the hard area in front of the offices.

Man on a Beach - interviews.

And here's an interview from the 'Man on a Beach' series shot in foreign parts up in Mevagissey with Peter, skipper of the latest Cornish Sardine ring netter to join the fleet. Peter, from Newlyn is working the boat from Mevagissey at present. Spotting the boat builder's name name on the side of the boat may cause some confusion, she is in fact, the Asthore.

As hake quota ends - more fish dumped?

Not a good sign at Peterhead for this morning - does this mean that all the hake caught by the Scottish fleet is being dumped at sea?