All at sea or on their way!

Just the one big boat on the market this morning so by ten past six the auction was over...

with a few boxes from a handful of inshore boats who managed to get a few hours in somewhere during yesterday's breezy conditions...

leaving the market in peace...

in the harbour there is always work to be done like finishing off the Sapphire's annual paint-up...

this morning will see the netters sail...

though this old girl won't be joining them again anytime soon...

the light changes by the minute...

depending where you look...

there's always the Mission ready to bring comfort when needed.

From "less than 100 mature cod" to MSC Certification for sustainability in less than three years!

There is sufficient confidence in the recovery of North Sea cod stocks that the fishery will be assessed for certification to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard for sustainability.

Icelandic Seachill is leading an application to the Seafish Strategic Investment Fund fund to support the assessment, and this has passed the first stage, the company announced at the World Seafood Congress in Grimsby, UK.

In addition, Icelandic Seachill is providing financial support and support in kind, along with the Scottish Fisheries Sustainable Accreditation Group (SFSAG), Marks and Spencer, WM Morrison Supermarkets, and J. Sainsbury, whilst the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations and Young’s Seafood are supporting the assessment in kind.

This group expects the assessment be commissioned in early 2016.

North Sea cod is consumed primarily in the UK and European market where consumers are increasingly aware of the role they play in choosing sustainably sourced seafood. Its historical decline has been well documented by media and it has become a focal point of campaigns by NGOs.

“The status of North Sea cod is a barometer used frequently by the media to represent the sustainability of fish in general,” said Nigel Edwards, technical and CSR director at Seachill.

This certification, if successful, will underline the recovery of cod following the successful MSC certification of the Icelandic cod, for which Seachill was the client, and Barents Sea cod, said Edwards. “It’s great to see all levels of the supply chain working together with a common goal of sustainable fisheries and we hope to emulate this partnership to secure the recovery and certification of fisheries.”

North sea cod-capturing-crusaders like the Budding Rose proved right.

Scottish fishermen have contributed significantly to the return of cod in the North Sea, said Mike Park, chairman of SFSAG, the body responsible for the certification of other North Sea fish stocks.

“Young’s are proud to be part of this journey and to be providing ongoing direct support to the project from our own marine biologist as the initiative enters this important phase,” Peter Ward, CEO of Young’s, said.

“It is many years since cod from the North Sea has played an important role in feeding our nation and we look forward to its return to our plates very soon as an independently certified sustainable option,” he said.

Newlyn Mission launches an auction - just in time for the Rugby World Cup!

There are some great auction lots to be won! - the Fishermen's Mission has joined together with restaurants, hotels and an England Rugby Player to offer some fantastic prizes for this eBay auction with the proceeds going direct to the Fishermen's Mission for its work in Cornwall!.

First up.....

Dinner, Bed and Breakfast on the Isles of Scilly - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/281797136135 Star Castle Hotel, Isles of Scilly, is a family run hotel located on the Garrison, a short walk from the centre of St Mary’s and the harbour, commanding breathtaking views of the stunning Archipelago. Their focus is to provide exceptional customer service and award-winning food. They have offer gourmet food with a choice of two superb restaurants featuring the world’s best fresh lobster and crab caught by the proprietor Mr. Robert Francis aboard ‘Gallos’, the hotel’s very own fishing boat. This is an exclusive auction prize, dinner, bed and breakfast for two people for one night. Travel arrangements from Cornwall, across the sea to Scilly will be included.

England rugby star Jack Nowell - he's in the Salt of the Earth book too!

then a Jack Nowell, Signed England RFU Shirt - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/281797136242 Jack, who is from a fishing family in Newlyn, has been a great supporter of the Fishermen's Mission. He featured in our fundraiser photographic album ‘Salt of the Earth’ and now has agreed to sign an England RFU shirt.

Next, a meal for two at Ben's Cornish Kitchen in Marazion, Cornwall - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/271983250787 As a supporter of the Fishermen's Mission for a number of years, we are delighted that Ben has offered a meal for two at Ben's Cornish Kitchen, Marazion in Cornwall.

Last but not least, a thirty minute trial flight from Newquay Airport - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/271983250252 The Trial Flight Experience which normally costs £120 for one person, provides personal tuition with a highly qualified instructor. They will demonstrate the basic principles of flight. For a small fee on the day, you can take someone with you.

All proceeds will go to the Fishermen's Mission. We kindly thank Fly Newquay, Ben's Cornish Kitchen, Star Castle Hotel and Jack Nowell. We at the Fishermen's Mission are here to provide active support to the entire fishing community in terms of welfare, emergency aid and promoting safety. We are a small charity that relies on donations and we make every effort to ensure that for every £1.00 received, 88 pence goes to the needs of the active and retired fishermen, as well as their families.

Newlyn's Monday morning market sees sky-high prices!

For the few inshore boats...

like the New Harmony...

able to get away over the weekend in some very inclement weather...

to land fish like these magnificent monk...

and turbot it's good news as fish prices soar with so little being landed around the UK this morning...

even relatively cheap fish like this plaice make good money on a market with only a handful of boats landing...

so Doversole...

and these turbot  will make the numbers bigger on the boat's settling sheet...

the MSC hake from the Karen of Ladram...

and even these sardines...

will keep the discerning Newlyn buyers busy on their phones checking prices elsewhere...

with the MSC's George Clark...

accompanying Dutch TV chef Bart van Olphen working on a new cook book showcasing sustainable fish recipes from around the world...

the guys will be keeping their fingers crossed...

that the heavy storm clouds will blow over by tonight when they are due to sail on one of the port's Cornish sardine boats...

unable to bring the boat round into the wind when fishing only half a mile off the shore early this morning, stalwart handline fisherman Chris Morley has decided to put the boat on the hard and fish out some weed and line from his prop instead! There's always a job to be found on a boat it seems.

Watching the weather.

VesselTracker AIS

With strong to gale force winds very much the order of the day fishing becomes more difficult and dangerous - on the left of the AIS chart image the Govenek of Ladram, Crystal Sea II, Lisa Jacqueline and Algrie can all be seen making for Newlyn - to the right, sheltering in Falmouth Bay and getting some cut in the wind from the land a fleet of about a dozen Breton trawlers are continuing to fish just outside the six mile line.

it's a fact, net works.

Net-Works is a social, environmental and commercial solution tackling the problem of discarded fishing nets, by Interface and ZSL. The programme evolved from a need to find a better way of doing business. By working together in close partnership, Interface and ZSL are creating a solid business solution with a long-term positive impacts on marine and freshwater ecosystems while also providing financial opportunities to some of the poorest people in the world.

Trawled up lost Spanish monofilament long line and mono net.

Discarded nets that ghost fish are not the problem here in the rich fishing waters off Nelwyn as in other seas around the world. The local boats fish mainly in deep water and the strong tides in the Western Approaches see to it that any lost nets are soon rolled up tight and lose the ability to fish. 

Used nets are baled ready for recycling in Newlyn.

The Cornish fleet of gill netters produce several tons of used monofilament nylon nets a year as they replace worn out nets with new - these are then sent for recycling.


On a related note...

This coming weekend sees a national campaign to help clean our beaches all around the UK. Locally, Sandy Cove is one of the beaches where volunteers will muster on Saturday. The strong winds over the last few days will have added to the flitsam and jetsam washed up on every beach i the south west not just Sandy Cove - find out more about the Great British Beach Clean here.

St Ives, by day, by night.

St Ives' connection with the classic TV series Morse...

gets launched with a willing crew - unusually, the pilot gig is rigged with a main and mizzen sail...

aboard John Nance's two harbour 'scully' boats, "she went thataway!"...

Nathan takes up a tow on the second boat...

and shows the technique used to power the boat through the water - making it look easier than it is...

another well known face from the Cornish fishing community shows how it's done...

evening draws in...

time for refreshments...

once the St Ives lifeboat is brought ashore she needs a good wash down with fresh water...

before heading for the shed.