Tuesday 29 April 2014
What consumers think about fish
From our Brittany correspondent - what the Breton's are doing post winter storm damage
Here's a few words from an ex-pat living in Brittany monitoring the local press and media. It seems the French Government are being a little more supportive of those coastal regions hit hard by the winter storms - the speed with which they have actioned repairs in stark contrast to the minimal work carried out in Cornwall where work on all but the most obviously hazardous damage has ground to a halt following David Cameron's 'money no object' declaration post storms!
"Just as in Cornwall, the Breton coast was battered by the February storms. The damage to harbours and sea defences is estimated to have cost around 10 million euros (excluding damage to private property). The French government has just issued an official declaration concerning storm damage, which enables natural disaster insurance to come into play and repair work is underway in the most seriously affected areas, particularly around Penmarc’h and Le Guilvinec. Breakwaters have had to be rebuilt or strengthened following recent breaches along this stretch of the coast.
Among the most visible damage, the disappearance of dunes leading in some places to 20 metres of land being lost. Local authorities immediately moved into action to ensure the coastal paths and shoreline would be cleaned up before the summer season, and now they are moving into the second phase reflecting on how to ensure protection in the long term. Attitudes have changed considerably over the past few decades. Piling up of rocks is now rejected and limited to harbour defences with alternative methods being looked into for the general coastline, as these “exceptional” conditions are expected to become more frequent in the coming years. Tourist leaders remain optimistic suggesting that the spectacular storm images may even encourage visitors to come to Brittany this spring and during the summer season.
While the forces of nature cannot be controlled, the impact of man’s behaviour on the environment and landscape can be changed. In recent years, there has been particular concern about boats being abandoned in ports and inlets around the coast of Western Brittany. For some owners, the cost of removing and dismantling old boats is prohibitive. The local authorities, including Finistère Council and Douarnenez Council have just launched a trial to clean up the ports. A disposal site and pick-up service should enable owners to dispose of their unwanted boats at a much lower cost. Recycling is the key to the funding proposal and will determine whether the trial will be extended, with the exact cost of the service yet to be announced."
Beach seine netting from Sennen for grey mullet - how they do it
 |
The net is set from the beach with the aid of a small boat - in this case right inside the harbour in Sennen Cove...
and it's all hands to the beach to pick the fish out of the net! The net is owned by many fishermen who all take a share of the catch according to their share.
Monday 28 April 2014
Having a whale of a time
 |
| Thought to be a sperm whale |
UK fishermen claim nets used by the Dutch that send out electric shocks are annihilating fish stocks
The sooner this is is investigated the better! - though with the Sunday Times printing the story about only 100 mature cod left in the North Sea a good deal more needs to be revealed as to the validity of the claims being made.
THE Dutch trawler fleet is being blamed by British fishermen for “annihilating” stocks of juvenile Dover sole with a net that sends electric shocks into the sea floor.
The Dutch vessels are allowed to fish 12 miles off the Kent coast, but British crews claim their pioneering electric shock technology is devastating marine life and destroying the fishing grounds. They are urging fisheries officials to investigate.
The electrified nets are designed to give bottom-lying Dover sole a minor shock to move them into the nets. Dutch officials say the method — known as “pulse trawling” — causes less damage to the sea floor and nearby species.
Research has shown the electric nets can kill nearby cod, cracking their vertebrae and causing internal haemorrhaging. Most marine life in the area, however, should not be adversely affected.
British fishermen believe vast numbers of fish are being killed and are meeting Dutch officials to voice their concerns. They are also to send dead fish caught in their nets for laboratory examination. Tom Brown, secretary of Thanet Fishermen’s Association, said his members complained it was like “fishing in a graveyard” after the pulse trawlers had been in the area. “What they don’t catch, they annihilate,” he said. “Virtually everything is dead.”
Jeff Loveland, who owns two fishing boats in Ramsgate, which mainly catch Dover sole and skate, said: “This is absolutely devastating for us because we never caught so many fish that [were] already dead.
“You can have as many as 50 dead Dover sole in an hour and a half. We would hardly ever see a dead fish before.”
The crews believe that repeated exposure to the minor shocks is killing the fish.
Loveland said about seven Dutch trawlers were fishing off the Kent coast using pulse nets. He said: “It is a waste of time going to that area now. It stinks of dead fish.”
Fishing crews in Essex have similar concerns. Roger Free, a fisherman from West Mersea, said many of the dead fish he had pulled up in the area were juveniles. He is convinced the Dutch trawlers are to blame.
Story courtesy of the Sunday Times
THE Dutch trawler fleet is being blamed by British fishermen for “annihilating” stocks of juvenile Dover sole with a net that sends electric shocks into the sea floor.
The Dutch vessels are allowed to fish 12 miles off the Kent coast, but British crews claim their pioneering electric shock technology is devastating marine life and destroying the fishing grounds. They are urging fisheries officials to investigate.
The electrified nets are designed to give bottom-lying Dover sole a minor shock to move them into the nets. Dutch officials say the method — known as “pulse trawling” — causes less damage to the sea floor and nearby species.
Research has shown the electric nets can kill nearby cod, cracking their vertebrae and causing internal haemorrhaging. Most marine life in the area, however, should not be adversely affected.
British fishermen believe vast numbers of fish are being killed and are meeting Dutch officials to voice their concerns. They are also to send dead fish caught in their nets for laboratory examination. Tom Brown, secretary of Thanet Fishermen’s Association, said his members complained it was like “fishing in a graveyard” after the pulse trawlers had been in the area. “What they don’t catch, they annihilate,” he said. “Virtually everything is dead.”
Jeff Loveland, who owns two fishing boats in Ramsgate, which mainly catch Dover sole and skate, said: “This is absolutely devastating for us because we never caught so many fish that [were] already dead.
“You can have as many as 50 dead Dover sole in an hour and a half. We would hardly ever see a dead fish before.”
The crews believe that repeated exposure to the minor shocks is killing the fish.
Loveland said about seven Dutch trawlers were fishing off the Kent coast using pulse nets. He said: “It is a waste of time going to that area now. It stinks of dead fish.”
Fishing crews in Essex have similar concerns. Roger Free, a fisherman from West Mersea, said many of the dead fish he had pulled up in the area were juveniles. He is convinced the Dutch trawlers are to blame.
Story courtesy of the Sunday Times
Plenty of high quality fish on the market this Monday morning
Harbour commissioner Rob Wing spins another fishy yarn on the market this morning...
with the biggest landing of turbot this year from the netters that landed over the weekend...
 |
| BL 925806 Saint Catherine Laboure |
for the second time in a week, the Boulogne boats make their way in to overland their fish back to their home port - good news for the harbour's coffers as, like any the boat landing in the port, they have to pay a % of the catch value that they land as landing dues - and it's good news for them as they can be nack fishing on the grounds in the Bristol Channel saving themselves nearly three days in steaming time from their home port...
followed by the L'Arc en Ciel...
both boats can work a light mid-water trawl and carry the pelagic doors for this net on the gallows aft above the Morgére bottom trawling doors on the boat's quarters...
time to take fresh water...
the marque of the boat's owners...
visiting wind farm service vessel, Lynas Point...
the classic West Country trading ketch Irene bathes in early morning sunshine...
waiting for weather to get to the Scillies...
as is Mitch's new inshore trawler, Sowenna III which as the name suggests is third in line in the Mitch fleet!..
hopefully it wont' be long before the new Cornish Ice ice works is commissioned.
Mission money means many fishermen in the south west cope with the winter storms
About £60,000 has been given to fishermen who were struggling to pay bills after storms stopped them from going to sea.
The Fishermen's Mission, which provides emergency funds, said it had given grants of £500 to fishermen and their families across Cornwall.
Months of stormy weather during the winter has caused a financial crisis for fishermen, the charity added.
The money has been given to those in housing arrears.
Julian Wearing, centre manager at the Newlyn Fishermen's Mission, said staff had also visited fishermen to offer emotional support.
He said: "Some didn't know if they could keep their house or feed their children.
"They had not been able to work for up to four months.
"As soon as the fishermen went back out to sea there was a vast amount of fish on the market and the prices dropped.
"Fishing is a tough gig. It is a way of life but it's a very dangerous one."
Local businesses have done their bit to help:
Intrepid cyclists braved strong winds and rain to help add to the £60k already raised by Newlyn’s Fishermen’s Mission to relieve the plight which fishermen have been in since the storms which battered the Cornish coastline for two months this winter. Children and less confident riders cycled from the Mission to Marazion and back while stronger riders took on a 30 mile ride taking them round Penwith via Mousehole, Sennen and Pendeen. Whatever route they took however, they were all able to enjoy a fish and chip lunch cooked by acclaimed chef Ben Tunnicliffe, of the Tolcarne Inn.
Read more: http://www.cornishman.co.uk/Newlyn-cyclists-brave-wind-rain-Fishermen-s/story-21020517-detail/story.html#ixzz30AaIsBT6
The Fishermen's Mission, which provides emergency funds, said it had given grants of £500 to fishermen and their families across Cornwall.
Months of stormy weather during the winter has caused a financial crisis for fishermen, the charity added.
The money has been given to those in housing arrears.
Julian Wearing, centre manager at the Newlyn Fishermen's Mission, said staff had also visited fishermen to offer emotional support.
He said: "Some didn't know if they could keep their house or feed their children.
"They had not been able to work for up to four months.
"As soon as the fishermen went back out to sea there was a vast amount of fish on the market and the prices dropped.
"Fishing is a tough gig. It is a way of life but it's a very dangerous one."
Local businesses have done their bit to help:
 |
| Photo courtesy of the Cornishman |
Intrepid cyclists braved strong winds and rain to help add to the £60k already raised by Newlyn’s Fishermen’s Mission to relieve the plight which fishermen have been in since the storms which battered the Cornish coastline for two months this winter. Children and less confident riders cycled from the Mission to Marazion and back while stronger riders took on a 30 mile ride taking them round Penwith via Mousehole, Sennen and Pendeen. Whatever route they took however, they were all able to enjoy a fish and chip lunch cooked by acclaimed chef Ben Tunnicliffe, of the Tolcarne Inn.
Read more: http://www.cornishman.co.uk/Newlyn-cyclists-brave-wind-rain-Fishermen-s/story-21020517-detail/story.html#ixzz30AaIsBT6
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)