All in a day's work

A shot of the St Geunole registered trawler, Le Murex taken from the deck of the  netter Ajax during her last trip. The photo is a graphic example of conditions experienced at sea when working over 170 miles away from Newlyn.

Succorfish VME trials in the South West

The Succorfish SC2 vessel monitoring system (VMS) has been developed in collaboration with the UK Government-sponsored Seafish authority to exceed current EU and national UK VMS regulation specifications. More than just a fisheries enforcement device, the SC2 uses next generation technology to allow fishermen maximum access to all coastal and offshore marine habitat areas whilst providing maximum protection to sensitive marine seabed features and species.


More information here.

Ozzies take a tough line - Fishing boats ordered to port for not following seabird rules 26 April 2012

Four South East Trawl vessels have been caught out not using mandatory devices to prevent seabirds becoming caught, injured or killed in fishing gear. The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has expressed its disappointment with these results following a recent aerial surveillance operation offVictoriaandTasmaniato ensure compliance with seabird rules. 


 Under the rules introduced last year, trawlers must use devices to protect seabirds while trawl gear is in use. A recent survey by Oceanwatch, commissioned by the South East Trawl Industry Association and supported by AFMA, showed over 90 per cent of operators are aware of these requirements. However, the first surveillance operation detected a number of fishers not using the necessary devices and as a result AFMA issued two fishers with official warnings. 


Interesting to note -  AFMA then contacted fishing operators by mail, SMS messages and through AFMA’s vessel monitoring system warning that any further non-compliance would be dealt with more harshly. Despite the reminders, later aerial surveillance operations detected a further two operators not complying with the seabird management arrangements. Both vessels were ordered to port and investigations are continuing. 


Peter Venslovas, AFMA General Manager Operations said that use of the seabird mitigation devices is a mandatory component of seabird management plans, which were developed and agreed upon with each fishing vessel operator. “It is disappointing to see the level of non-compliance particularly when AFMA and the fishing industry association have worked so hard to get these measures in place,” Mr Venslovas said. “AFMA takes these issues very seriously and will be taking strong action against any operators found to be non-compliant with the terms of their seabird management plans”. Since the plans were introduced AFMA has been working with owners and operators to develop a range of measures that reduce fishing impact on seabirds. AFMA will continue to monitor fishing activity in areas where trawl boats operate. 


Any fishing operator suspected of not complying with seabird rules will be subject to strict compliance action which could include an immediate order to return to port, investigation and possible prosecution.

What price fish?

Morrab Library, one of the few, large independent libraries left in England has just been willed £600,000 by a local resident. Started in 1818, the library is adjacent to Penzance School of Art, the oldest art school in the country - booking are being taken for summer courses now - your chance to learn from local artsists making use of the famous west Cornwall light.......

a big heavy swell and onshore winds have left the beaches in Mount's Bay covered in seaweed, no doubt in Brittany hundreds would have flocked to the water's edge armed with bags for a free supply of garden manure.......

one week on and the damage to the prom has yet to be made good - or even cleared, times must be hard for the council.....

the buoy has escaped from its mooring again........

a single line of boxes on one end of the market, no beam or trawl fish today........

and just a handful of boxes at the netter end of the market......

from the Ajax, prices should be good........

basking in the glow of the morning sun. Jean Cabot's, Matthew......... 

with the crew taking advantage of the good drying weather to get some hatch covers painted up.......

one of the prettier sterns in the harbour today........

as ever, the Bay was treated to a display of moody lighting effects.......

maybe someone knows something we don't..........

must be a few boats to choose from - see the for boats sale page.......

Mr and Mrs herring gull, even in the sea bird world it seems it's the male that does all the DIY......

just waiting for something to happen.......

or a sign even.......

out to sea looks like it's henting down out there!

Countdown to summer - Rocket Gardens winging their way to a you!

Here's a novel idea, deliverd to your doorstep - an instant garden of summer vegetable delights to go with your fresh Cornish fish.....

 

for more information, don your virtual wellies and visit Rocket Gardens for bags more green goodies.

'Obby 'Oss! Tiz May Day in Padstow

No doubt this familiar fishing face will be gracing his home town of Padstow for the May Day celebrations - but what will he be wearing this year? A free TtG print for the first person who sends in a photo of young Mr Coutsoubus in action today!

MMO to send fishing licence variations by email and text alerts - but will it work asks local fisherman?

The MMO are currently set to introduce "e-notices" or electronic notification of changes to licence variations in England. The letter below was part of the consultation process carried out earlier this year in a bid to cut the amount of irrelevant paperwork generated and sent to fishermen around the English coast. TtG is not sure if this letter From the MMO inviting feedback was sent to all fishermen in England.

"We propose to replace the issue of paper variations with electronic notices of variation to all fishing vessel licences in England by publishing the notices on the MMO website. Licence holders, or their nominees, will be notified in advance via email or sms text message alerts of any changes to be made to their licence and they can then view the licence variation on the MMO website. The front page of the licence will still be issued as a paper document, as is current practice, and must be made available for on board inspection.


This informal consultation (England only) sets out policy proposals for introducing a system of electronic notification of variations to fishing licences in England which will replace the current system of paper variations. EU legislation requires that all commercial fishing vessels must have a valid fishing licence and authorisation. In England, fishing licences and their variations are currently issued in paper format and must be produced on request to Enforcement Officers during inspection. This is a costly, resource intensive and time consuming process for the Marine Management Organisation and fishermen. The intention is to amend The Sea Fishing (Licences and Notices) Regulations 1994 No. 2813 to allow for the introduction of an electronic system of notifying licence variations. We aim for this to take effect on 6 April 2012. The new system will be implemented and administered by the Marine Management Organisation once the Licence Order has been amended. Licence variations will be published on the MMO website. Licence holders, or their nominees, will be notified in advance via email or sms text message alerts of any changes to to their licence and can then view the variation on the MMO website. The front two pages of the licence will still be issued as a paper document, as is current practice, and must be available for on board inspection."

The table below (identified during the consultation period) indicates the amount of money the new system will save tax payers.

Covering the story on their breakfast show, BBC Radio Cornwall spoke to Newlyn trawler skipper Tom McClure about the changes and then defra spokesperson, Nick Wright gave his response to questions regarding the implementation of the scheme.