Wednesday's fish

Making the most of the weather, the boars that can be at sea are at sea so Wednesday's market has but a few boxes of inshore dayboat #quality fish this morning...

like the trawler Innisfallen...

these fins were made for walking...

bright-eyed...

and bushy-tailed - name this fish...

tagged king of the sea as Floyd would have it...

plenty of winter mackerel about...

now we know what the Punisher does in his spare time...

a brace of winter Dory...

and their fine fins...

there's new power down the quay now...

getting ready to sail...

the Ajax takes on board more boxes...

latest showing at the #PZGallery, Ken Gill's New York Icons...

not to be missed...

the Scillonian III ...

just moored up in her winter berth.

What Holtaway floats away? #luckytobealive

The VesselTracker AIS clearly shows the search pattern used by Patch and the boys on the Ivan Ellen last night looking for the drifting windsurfer

"After nearly three hours of searching for a missing person Penlee Lifeboat found the young man a mile south of Marazion Beach around 11pm, the person, who had been in the sea for five hours was taken to Newlyn harbour by the Lifeboat then conveyed to hospital by ambulance. The young man is suffering from hypothermia but should be ok, a great result this evening, it really was a fantastic effort by everyone involved!" 
Joe penned a short but heartfelt  thank you to all those who acted to make sure he lives to paddle another day..... 

"For those who were involved tonight and quite a read for those who weren't Joe Holtaway is alive and drinking tea at The Old Bowjie (folks house)

...It was a beautiful evening in Marazion, I paddled out on my board in the sunset and drifted further/got colder than I could get myself back to shore from.

Six hours later the #lifeboat took me onboard, and brought me in.
Much love, respect and appreciation for everyone who was on the beach, the emergency services, my friends and family (all are family.x)

Be posting this through the day tomorrow and expect to make an appearance in next edition of The Cornishman!

It's a beautiful world.

night

Joe x"

Kurt Jackson all at sea - Line Caught and Local

Kurt Jackson, one of Britain’s leading contemporary artists has joined forces with National Maritime Museum Cornwall, developing a new collection of work called ‘Line Caught and Local’.

The exhibition features a stunning series of paintings, drawings, sculpture, supporting film footage and fishing artefacts, as well as a rare glimpse at Kurt’s sketch books, offering an exhibition beyond the walls of the artwork and embracing the life and work of inshore fishermen in audio, film and handling objects.

The works have been created in situ and Kurt has been working, sailing and filming alongside Penwith fishermen who work out of the harbours and ports of West Cornwall. Using time honoured traditional methods, these men sail off in small boats catching crab, lobster, mackerel, bass, sardines and pollock, working with hand lines, nets and pots in acknowledgment of community based sustainable fishing methods.

Kurt Jackson says: “Wanting to immerse myself in the whole subject of sustainability, fishing stocks and the techniques used by Cornish fishermen, I chose to spend the past few years hopping on and off the small inshore fishing fleet around our shores endeavouring to make this body of work in some crazily challenging conditions. It’s perfectly logical that these new works are now being shown here in Cornwall at the Maritime Museum.”

Tehmina Goskar, Exhibitions Registrar at the Museums says: “Kurt’s work draws together many of today’s concerns; the environment, tradition, identity, heritage and community which are reflected in the Museum’s aims and as such there possibly couldn’t be a better location to reveal this new line of work. We are so excited to show Kurt’s work here, to be working with him and for him to recognise our commitment to Cornwall’s maritime heritage by inviting us to work with him on this exhibition.”

Kurt is also working with a number of students at Falmouth University on an art development workshop at the Museum, inspiring the next generation of artists who in turn will be sharing their experiences with younger artists during ‘The Big Draw’ event, hosted at the Museum on 25-26 October. We are truly grateful for his support and are looking forward to showcasing his new work, not only to many loyal fans but also introducing one of Britain’s leading contemporary artists to a new audience.

A Night Full of Sardines from Kurt Jackson Contemporary Artist on Vimeo.

‘Line Caught and Local’ is on display in the Quarterdeck Gallery at National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Falmouth from 15 September to 25 January 2015. A catalogue supports the exhibition and is available in the Museum and online at http://www.kurtjackson.com

See more at: http://bit.ly/1ybhkDs

Sustainable fishing boats should be handed a "quota bonus"

Fishing boats bringing benefits to local communities and conserving UK seas must be rewarded with more opportunities to fish, according to a new report published today.

The study by the Institute for European Environmental Policy for the RSPB recommends that boats which best meet a new set of environmental, social and economic criteria should receive a ‘quota bonus’.

The reformed EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) requires Member States to change the way they allocate ‘fishing opportunities’, namely quota, and how many days a boat is allowed to fish for it.

Until now, UK fishermen have been given permission to fish based on ‘historic catch records’. The new legislation states that those boats which bring social and economic benefits to local communities, without damaging the marine environment, should have more opportunities to fish than others.

UK Governments must now decide exactly how to meet with this requirement to reward the fishermen with a greater focus on sustainability.

Following interviews with the fishing industry and Governments, the report recommends ways in which the environmental benefits of the current system of quota allocation can be preserved while doing more to encourage environmentally friendly fishing.

Euan Dunn, Principal Marine Advisor said: “The way we dish out fishing opportunities must change if our Governments are to comply with the new laws to reward and encourage environmentally friendly fishing which benefits local communities.

“Next year will see huge changes in fisheries management, with effective Marine Protected Areas, the introduction of the Discard Ban and new targets for sustainable fishing. Allocating quota based on historic records alone is no way to manage modern fisheries.”

Courtesy of ClickGreen

Can “collaboration” give our fisheries a future?

Can “collaboration” give our fisheries a future? 

From 24th – 26th February 2015, fishers, scientists and policy-makers from across Europe will meet in Barcelona to explore whether “working together” can ensure a sustainable future for our fisheries. GAP2, an international European Commission-funded research project, is to host a three-day major event, exploring the successes and challenges of collaborative methods in both research and governance.

Designed for fishers, scientists, and policy-makers primarily, but open to anyone with an interest, the event will be free of charge to all delegates, and translation services provided.


Fisherman Alan Steer, Skipper/Owner of the MV ‘Superb-us’, on participatory research:

“Before the Gap2 project started most of my involvement with scientists left me feeling very frustrated. Helping collect and supplying the same data over and over again to different groups, never seeing any returns and in some cases not even knowing if the data had ever been used. But as a partner in the Gap2 project I have felt much more included and can see real benefits for the future.

Fishermen and scientists working together through the life of the whole project has meant that I have been able to have some input and influence on the issues researched. This has given me a better understanding of all the implications and trust in the results. This collaboration means the findings have real relevance to our fishery and give us some of the tools we need to help manage it in a sustainable and profitable way for the future.”

The event will also be a celebration, marking the end of the GAP2 project’s four years of participatory fisheries research in the field across 11 different countries – with participants looking to cement the collaborative approach in the wider fishing industry and governance landscape. What’s more, all who attend will be invited to present at the “GAP2 Great Exhibition” – a creative centrepiece where ‘exhibitors’ will be given the chance to present any relevant work in as creatively as possible.

The wide-ranging event will also feature keynote addresses, lectures and panel debates, alongside more informal sessions, inviting debate from all participants. Delegates will also be given the opportunity to visit one of the Project’s flagship research case studies, in Palamos, close to Barcelona. Here they will have the chance to see the application of a long-term management plan, put in place through collaborative efforts between local fishers, GAP2 scientists, and policy-makers.



GAP2 Project Coordinator, CEFAS Scientist Dr Steven Mackinson, has said:

“We’re really looking forward to bringing together fishers, scientists and policy-makers at this unique event, focused on the practical application, and value, of collaborative methods. I can’t wait to hear the range of opinions and experiences that will be on offer. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the lifetime of the GAP2 project, whilst also looking to the future of Europe’s fisheries”

Register quickly – places are limited to 150!

For further information, images or quotes, please contact Katrina Borrow: Katrina@mindfullywired.org

Ahead of Discards and the Landing Obligation - The warning bells are ringing ever louder in the corridors of Brussels and at home!

For nearly two years Through the Gaps has been publicising the consequences of (blue) charitable donations from the likes of the American PEW Trust finding its way across the Atlantic and either directly or indirectly influencing or funding (like Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's FishFight TV series) organisations like NGOs to take action against the fishing industry - now the results of that charity's work are becoming crystal clear!

Here is the message from the SWFPA and the SFA:

EU Member States must assert their authority over the European Commission to prevent the discard ban – a move which would bankrupt large swathes of the industry. That is the stark message ahead of the December Fisheries Council from two of Scotland's biggest fishing bodies, the Scottish White Fish Producers' Association (SWFPA) and Shetland Fishermen's Association (SFA). 
With only a marginal quota increase for haddock and potential reductions for species such as cod and whiting in prospect at the ongoing EU/Norway discussions leading up to the annual EU summit on December 15, European Commission officials are apparently dismissive of serious impediments to the introduction of the discard ban for the main white fish stocks in January 2016.

The SWFPA and the SFA believe that fishermen will be put out of business unless there is an urgent rethink about how fishing opportunities are set for 2015 and beyond. Mike Park, chief executive of the SWFPA, said: "No fisherman that I know is happy throwing perfectly good fish back into the sea, which is why both the SWFPA and SFA support the intent of the landings obligation. "However, without significant increases in quota and the introduction of flexibilities to the quota system, it simply will not work. "Fishing boats will go out of business because the new rules mean that all fishing must stop when vessels run out of the first quota". 


"We call on the governments of all member states to recognise the serious dangers of allowing a ban to go ahead without significant additional changes to the management regime and the way they set catch limits." Simon Collins, executive officer of the SFA, said he was surprised that officials within the European Commission seemed to think very little needed to be done prior to implementing the discard ban. "There is a lack of urgency among bureaucrats in Brussels. It is shocking how detached they are from the realities of their policies and the impacts they are likely to have on the communities they are paid to serve."

The SWFPA and SFA have also launched a scathing attack on the US-based Pew Charitable Trusts after discovering that the organisation is soliciting signatures from Scottish businesses and groups to a letter condemning ministers for allegedly allowing increases in overfishing. "The Pew Charitable Trusts and other so-called green organisations lobbied successfully to have the discard ban or landings obligation introduced," said Mr Park. "But as they studied their graphs in their warm city offices they gave no thought to how it might be implemented in practical terms. "And now that governments and civil servants are coming to realise that a discard ban under the quota system is likely to destroy perfectly sustainable fisheries around the Scottish coastline, what do they do?

"Instead of acting responsibly in helping to find a successful way forward, they turn on fisheries ministers and seek signatures from Scottish businesses to a letter which is a complete caricature of the situation attacking fisheries ministers for failing to meet deadlines. "Civil society needs to wake up to the fact that Pew and others like them are spending a multi-million pound war chest dictating how we in Scotland and other parts of Europe manage fishing dependent communities. "How dare they given that Scotland's fishers provide leadership on sustainable practices for the rest of Europe."

Mr Collins added: "It is typical of urban greens who are so far removed from the families that depend on the sea, whether it be here in Shetland or around other parts of the Scottish coastline. "They need to abandon their anti-jobs crusade and accept that a botched ban would have grave implications for communities that have successfully coexisted with the marine environment for centuries."

"Investigating the co-existence of fisheries and offshore renewable energy in the UK"

Keep ahead of the game - making sense of the ever increasing encroachment on fishing grounds by a diverse range of activities concerns many fishermen and their livelihoods. Thankfully, there are members of the scientific community reaching out to the fishing community in order to make sense of these changes. 

Here is an excellent paper written just up the road at the University of Plymouth: "Investigating the co-existence of fisheries and offshore renewable energy in the UK: Identification of a mitigation agenda for fishing effort displacement" a paper by De Groot, J., Campbell, M., Ashley, and M. & Rodwell.