Looks like the Emily Rose has just dropped her tow the beam trawler Martine off Mousehole's St Clemens island...
for the Penlee lifeboat to pick up and take into Newlyn.
Friday, 10 July 2015
Beam trawler Martine towed to Newlyn.
Looks like the Emily Rose has just dropped her tow the beam trawler Martine off Mousehole's St Clemens island...
for the Penlee lifeboat to pick up and take into Newlyn.
#FishyFriday is here!
Mount's Bay was treated to a great display of Alto Cumulus...
cloud this morning...
that stretched across the entire sky from East to West...
a sprightly Mr Morley ascends the fish market steps from the deck of the Danmar for the first time in 18 months...
to land a good shot of fish for two hauls...
mainly ray...
while the big beamer filled one quarter of the market space with megs, monk and Dovers...
while the melt-water in the box of cod is evidence of the ambient temperature on the market these days...
big John Dory, nicknamed 'handbags' for obvious reason...
you have to love red mullet...
females outnumber males in this trip of fish...
almost ready for the sardine season...
the ex-Clovelly lifeboat William Cantrell Ashley built in 1949 - a bargain at £20,000...
looks like the Imogen II is getting her annual paint job...
all you need to go fishing, one trawler kit, net, warps and doors - and a suitable boat of course...
it's not even 8am and already fish is boxed and heading out of the port...
Rebecca T, bound in with a day's worth of scallops...
gives a gull something to think about.
Wednesday, 8 July 2015
Fishing against the tide -
How did the UK go from having the biggest and most technologically advanced fishing fleet in the world to virtually nothing?
How do today's trawlermen cope when the odds are stacked against them?
What is the future and how can we make things better?
Fishing Against the Tide examines what the fishing industry once was, what it is today and how fishing could be once again.
Evidence Gathering in Support of Sustainable Scottish Inshore Fisheries
The European Fisheries Fund (EFF) is providing £1.4 million of funding through Seafish to support research within Scottish inshore fisheries. This is in direct response to Scotland's Inshore Fisheries Groups (IFGs) recognition that there is a lack of evidence (data) upon which to better manage Scotland's inshore fisheries. The project ‘Evidence Gathering In Support of Sustainable Scottish Inshore Fisheries’ has been commissioned to take place between June 2014 and July 2015, in support of the future sustainability of the industry and consists of 7 sub-projects or “Work Packages”.
The funding from the EFF therefore aims to benefit the IFGs by addressing key knowledge gaps identified in their management plans. These include, for example, establishing the location and footprint of fishing activities, improving catch data to enable stock assessments, improving local market opportunities for inshore fisheries, and developing an information resource base for inshore fisheries management. This pilot work is part of a 7 year project plan which will include accessing additional funding from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), thereby contributing to the longer-term development of the industry and sustainable fisheries management. The contractors commissioned to deliver the Work Packages are now seeking engagement with the industry to undertake their research. The results will be used to inform future fisheries policy, therefore ensuring the programme runs in close working partnership with IFGs, is of paramount importance.
Project Objectives:
WP1. Establishing the location of fishing activities within Scottish inshore areas
Objective: To establish the feasibility of collecting and utilising information on the location of individual inshore fishing vessel activity through the use of an automated electronic reporting system based on VHF technology.
WP2. Monitoring fishery catch to assist scientific stock assessments in Scottish inshore fisheries
Objective: To identify target fisheries with limited scientific stock assessment information, provide opportunities for inshore fishing vessel involvement in the scientific catch monitoring process and through collaborative working, improve the knowledge base and ability for inshore fishermen to contribute to stock assessment programmes.
WP3. Identifying catch composition to improve Scottish inshore fisheries management using technology to enable self-reporting
Objective: To investigate the potential for catch composition information to be derived from small inshore fishing vessels through the innovative use of technology; and to assess the use and cost effectiveness of such information within scientific assessments of data deficient fisheries.
WP4. Pilot study to define the footprint and activities of Scottish inshore fisheries by identifying target fisheries, habitats and associated fish stocks
Objective: To examine in a discrete area the range and quality of historic and developing fishing location and activity data available together with habitat, hydrographic and fisheries science information, and to establish a platform allowing such data streams to be combined. The outputs will be assessed in relation to an improved understanding of the environmental links supporting inshore fisheries and fish stocks.
WP5. Improving market intelligence and fishery production co-ordination in Scottish inshore fisheries
Objective: To evaluate the potential for landing an increased proportion of inshore fish catch, and strengthening overall sales revenues, through informing the markets of local landings availability and advising fishermen of wider market opportunities.
WP6. Integrating stock management considerations with market opportunities in Scottish inshore fisheries
Objective: To undertake a pilot assessment of the potential economic and associated benefits of establishing minimum market landing size in excess of minimum legal landing size for key shellfish species; and to evaluate if such an intervention could be undertaken at a regional level.
WP8. Establishing a dedicated information resource base for Scottish inshore fisheries
WP8. Establishing a dedicated information resource base for Scottish inshore fisheries
Objective: To determine the availability of information required for inshore fisheries management purposes and identify appropriate means for the provision and utilisation of such information in the local decision making process
More info here:
Download the info pack here:
Tuesday, 7 July 2015
The Tonks Effect
Chef and restaurateur Mitch Tonks is building a growing reputation among lovers of seafood lucky enough to dine out and take full advantage of his latest eateries like Rockfish on the quayside in Brixham and Plymouth's Rockfish, also a stones throw from the fish market in Sutton harbour.
With several cook books to his credit, the latest being Fish Easy, Mitch is no stranger to making a fish dish to suit a wide range of pockets. Determined to make the most of a working visit to Brixham, Mike Warner not only gets to pick some sumptuous spider crab but also benefit for the master at work by eating not only breakfast but a fish supper too!
After waxing lyrical about the atmosphere and seafood on offer Mike gets down to the serious business of all things fish as befitting
With several cook books to his credit, the latest being Fish Easy, Mitch is no stranger to making a fish dish to suit a wide range of pockets. Determined to make the most of a working visit to Brixham, Mike Warner not only gets to pick some sumptuous spider crab but also benefit for the master at work by eating not only breakfast but a fish supper too!
After waxing lyrical about the atmosphere and seafood on offer Mike gets down to the serious business of all things fish as befitting
Hake, traditionally an exported commodity, but having gained more popular appeal lately in the UK, has only just this week been awarded MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) accredited status for the Cornish fishery of Newlyn, a badge that has taken years of hard work, data monitoring and assessment to achieve. In essence, it means that in that particular port, Hake can be sold having been caught observing MSC protocols and attracting not only more premium but a wealth of selective buyers. However, although the same fish can also be landed at Brixham from the same boats, it’s not currently afforded the same prestige- the chain of custody preventing it until more work can be done. Hopefully just a matter of time
So Hake it is then. With properly deep-fried chips, a zingy tomato and red onion salad and a side order of aioli. Cooked, obviously to perfection, it’s a true illustration of the ultimate traceability and sustainability of this fishery. It’s what this restaurant and its concept represents so well. Fish landed, bought and hauled by box only yards from where it was hours earlier hoisted to the quay. The texture, so different to other Gadiform species like Cod or Haddock is complemented by an equally different but distinctive flavour, which I have no doubt will continue to grow on the fish-loving UK consumer. As an island nation, we owe it to ourselves to celebrate and savour the bounty of seas and not be afraid to experiment with different tastes.
Read the full post, Tonks Effect here:
HFW gets the blame - but is this more a case of rushed legislation without due diligence and proper consultation with the very people who could gave an answer?
Westcountry celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is being blamed for the new rules thanks to his televised Fish Fight campaign, which targets discards.
At present fisherman have to throw back fish they don't have a quota to catch, and the Fish Fight campaign has been working against that. The new rules mean they won't be allowed to throw them back - or land them. But Hugh says he has always demanded that the new rules be implemented in a way that did not disadvantage fishermen.
Dave Bond, a fishermen for nearly 40 years and chairman of Looe Harbour Commission, said: “It will put the nail in the coffin of the industry and then hammer it down. “It is beyond ludicrous, it is obscene. They are putting us out of business.” Mr Bond, who is also chairman of the South West Handline Association, which represents smaller fishing boats, was critical of Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall role is starting the discard reform. “He should stick to his kitchen,” he said. “He has just made a feature for his TV programme while we are going out of business.”
The new landing obligation policy means that by 2019 it will be illegal to discard any fish species covered by EU quotas. This means fishermen will be neither able discard or land fish they don't have a quota to catch.
Paul Trebilcock, chief executive of the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation and president of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisation, said urgent discussions were ongoing with Defra and the EU commissioners. “There is a lot of frustration and disbelief with this,” he said. “People are saying the ‘mad men in Brussels can’t do this, can they?’” Mr Trebilcock said he remained hopeful that a deal could be struck as fishermen around in the EU were united in their protests against an “unenforceable policy”. He said that there remained a “real danger” that if it was not changed, scores of fishing vessels could be tied up in the harbour, prevented from going to sea because they risked breaking the law. “I hope it will not come to that,” he said. “But given the lunacy and madness that comes out of Brussels, we can’t really rule it out.”
Mr Trebilcock also reserved criticism for the Fish Fight campaign, dismissing the new EU discards policy as the “mess Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has left behind”. He said: “Chefs making fishing policy is like one of the local skippers going into his restaurant and telling him how to run a kitchen.”
Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall rejected suggestions he was to blame, pointing out that the Fish Fight campaign had simply focused support from fishing communities and the general public. He also insisted that he had always argued very strongly that the landing obligation should not disadvantage fishing communities, and “any suggestion that it might do so is very concerning”. “The Government must ensure that the new rules are implemented in a fair way that doesn’t leave independent fishermen out of pocket,” he added. “We’ve always said it can’t simply be slapped over the existing quota system. Defra needs to create flexibility in the system to help fishers’ trade quota to take pressure of key species at the local level.”
The chef said Defra has promised to do this, though the way new flexible quotas will be allocated is yet to be agreed, and claimed 300 million Euros from the EU would also help fishermen “change gear to fish more selectively and successfully within the new rules”. He added: “The new rules are being phased in gradually, and among other exemptions, there will be a percentage of accidental catches that can be legally discarded, and/or legally landed. “Ultimately the landing obligation must be about more than not wasting fish. It needs to play a part in making sure we have healthy seas, thriving fish stocks, and thriving coastal communities.”
Jim Portus, chief executive of the South West Fish Producers Organisation, said fishermen hate discards as it made a mockery of their hard work. But he said the new policy could decimate the industry as fishermen would be prevented from putting to sea. “It is inevitable fishermen will catch fish for which they have no quota. It may happen infrequently, but when it does it will be a failure of the law. “This is a bad law made by administrators in Brussels encouraged by celebrity chefs. As a piece of legislation, it is barmy.”
Defra recently launched an extensive consultation on the reforms and will publish the responses shortly.
Fisheries Minister George Eustice, who is MP for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle, said the old policy had to be replaced. “If we want a profitable fishing industry in the future it’s essential we end the shameful practice of throwing perfectly good fish, dead, back into the sea. “The hard-fought Common Fisheries Policy reforms are a major step forward in achieving this and mean that not only will there be a ban on discarding fish, but also lots of new flexibilities in the way quotas work so fishermen can implement it effectively and land what they catch.”
Read more: Plymouth Herald Follow us: @heraldnewslive on Twitter
At present fisherman have to throw back fish they don't have a quota to catch, and the Fish Fight campaign has been working against that. The new rules mean they won't be allowed to throw them back - or land them. But Hugh says he has always demanded that the new rules be implemented in a way that did not disadvantage fishermen.
Dave Bond, a fishermen for nearly 40 years and chairman of Looe Harbour Commission, said: “It will put the nail in the coffin of the industry and then hammer it down. “It is beyond ludicrous, it is obscene. They are putting us out of business.” Mr Bond, who is also chairman of the South West Handline Association, which represents smaller fishing boats, was critical of Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall role is starting the discard reform. “He should stick to his kitchen,” he said. “He has just made a feature for his TV programme while we are going out of business.”
The new landing obligation policy means that by 2019 it will be illegal to discard any fish species covered by EU quotas. This means fishermen will be neither able discard or land fish they don't have a quota to catch.
Paul Trebilcock, chief executive of the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation and president of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisation, said urgent discussions were ongoing with Defra and the EU commissioners. “There is a lot of frustration and disbelief with this,” he said. “People are saying the ‘mad men in Brussels can’t do this, can they?’” Mr Trebilcock said he remained hopeful that a deal could be struck as fishermen around in the EU were united in their protests against an “unenforceable policy”. He said that there remained a “real danger” that if it was not changed, scores of fishing vessels could be tied up in the harbour, prevented from going to sea because they risked breaking the law. “I hope it will not come to that,” he said. “But given the lunacy and madness that comes out of Brussels, we can’t really rule it out.”
Mr Trebilcock also reserved criticism for the Fish Fight campaign, dismissing the new EU discards policy as the “mess Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has left behind”. He said: “Chefs making fishing policy is like one of the local skippers going into his restaurant and telling him how to run a kitchen.”
Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall rejected suggestions he was to blame, pointing out that the Fish Fight campaign had simply focused support from fishing communities and the general public. He also insisted that he had always argued very strongly that the landing obligation should not disadvantage fishing communities, and “any suggestion that it might do so is very concerning”. “The Government must ensure that the new rules are implemented in a fair way that doesn’t leave independent fishermen out of pocket,” he added. “We’ve always said it can’t simply be slapped over the existing quota system. Defra needs to create flexibility in the system to help fishers’ trade quota to take pressure of key species at the local level.”
The chef said Defra has promised to do this, though the way new flexible quotas will be allocated is yet to be agreed, and claimed 300 million Euros from the EU would also help fishermen “change gear to fish more selectively and successfully within the new rules”. He added: “The new rules are being phased in gradually, and among other exemptions, there will be a percentage of accidental catches that can be legally discarded, and/or legally landed. “Ultimately the landing obligation must be about more than not wasting fish. It needs to play a part in making sure we have healthy seas, thriving fish stocks, and thriving coastal communities.”
Jim Portus, chief executive of the South West Fish Producers Organisation, said fishermen hate discards as it made a mockery of their hard work. But he said the new policy could decimate the industry as fishermen would be prevented from putting to sea. “It is inevitable fishermen will catch fish for which they have no quota. It may happen infrequently, but when it does it will be a failure of the law. “This is a bad law made by administrators in Brussels encouraged by celebrity chefs. As a piece of legislation, it is barmy.”
Defra recently launched an extensive consultation on the reforms and will publish the responses shortly.
Fisheries Minister George Eustice, who is MP for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle, said the old policy had to be replaced. “If we want a profitable fishing industry in the future it’s essential we end the shameful practice of throwing perfectly good fish, dead, back into the sea. “The hard-fought Common Fisheries Policy reforms are a major step forward in achieving this and mean that not only will there be a ban on discarding fish, but also lots of new flexibilities in the way quotas work so fishermen can implement it effectively and land what they catch.”
Read more: Plymouth Herald Follow us: @heraldnewslive on Twitter
Never mind Amarteur, it must be Armageddon!
It would appear that the end of the world is nigh - in a Breton port, spiritual if not literal home of the langoustine, last week some boxes remained unsold on the market! What's going on?
here is the Google translation of an article in the Breton press.
"Friday morning, lobsters have not found a buyer in the auction of Loctudy. Angry call from the owner Stéphane Pochic who criticises the system.
This is the high season for Norway lobster. This year, the fishing is good. The downside, crates of lobster have not found buyers on Friday morning in Loctudy. Stéphane Pochic, Loctudiste amarteur, is angry. Especially since, for years, he fights with others for this Bigouden Port to continue to operate. "I'm sick of seeing noble ingredients like lobster, which require a lot of work from the garbage!
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