As the air pressure decreases the wind speed increases...
which will be giving the Newlyn netter Joy of Ladram a very uncomfortable day west of the Scillys as two Irish boats make their way into the safe haven of St Mary's Harbour for shelter.
Saturday 5 December 2015
Friday 4 December 2015
#FishyFriday is upon us!
Bass put in an appearance for the first time in an y numbers for well over a week...
as the market action draws to a close the fish are on their way out of the doors...
with the only hake on the market this week from the Karen of Ladram...
with some big stacks of boxes...
signs that there were good shots...
of mackerel for the handliners...
all looks fairly quiet this morning...
though the netter Karen of Ladram is still in port...
along with the trawler Crystal Sea II...
some who made an early start nose their way back home again...
as Tom maintains his vigil over the Bay. All photos shot on an iPhone4 this morning.
Thursday 3 December 2015
North Sea cod accord.
MANAGEMENT of North Sea fisheries has been made simpler and more flexible following unanimous agreement among EU Member States to amend the Cod Recovery Plan, Richard Lochhead said today.
At a meeting of the EU Fisheries Management Committee in Brussels, Member States backed a European Commission proposal to merge the two main North Sea trawl gear categories. These gear categories control the amount of time that vessels can spend at sea and this change will make it easier for vessels to fish with larger mesh. The time at sea limits will be merged on a one to one basis, ensuring that fishermen face no reduction in overall time at sea.
Fisheries Secretary, Richard Lochhead said:
At a meeting of the EU Fisheries Management Committee in Brussels, Member States backed a European Commission proposal to merge the two main North Sea trawl gear categories. These gear categories control the amount of time that vessels can spend at sea and this change will make it easier for vessels to fish with larger mesh. The time at sea limits will be merged on a one to one basis, ensuring that fishermen face no reduction in overall time at sea.
Fisheries Secretary, Richard Lochhead said:
“Today’s agreement to amend the Cod Recovery Plan is a step forward in removing an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy in fisheries management.
“It’s right that our fishermen begin to reap the rewards of many years of effort and hard change while the cod stocks in the waters around Scotland are well on the road to recovery, with the level of catches scientists advise for North Sea cod in 2016 increased by up to 15 per cent - the highest catch level recommended in 15 years.
"This change today will also give fishermen more choices as they prepare for the continued implementation of the EU discard ban, which started this year and applies next year to important fish stocks like haddock and prawns.
“It is still important however that the European Commission takes the next step and brings forward a proposal to abolish the Cod Recovery Plan altogether and replace it with a more flexible mixed fishery management plans for the North Sea and the waters off the west coast of Scotland.”
Get your engineers ticket!
THE engineering requirements for the under-16.5m Skipper's Certificates are being beefed up by Seafish, due to the continued high number of incidents caused by engine and machinery failure.
As a result, from January 1, fishermen who require the restricted certificate will have to complete a 2-day engineering course and those who require the unrestricted certificate will have to complete a 30-hour course. This qualification ensures that skippers of these boats are multi-skilled, thereby helping to prevent breakdowns and accidents involving engines and machinery.
Since its launch in 2007, the voluntary Seafish Under 16.5m Skipper's Certificate has proved hugely popular with experienced fishermen. Comprising a number of short courses in watchkeeping, engineering, stability and radio operation and a requiring evidence of appropriate experience, there are two certificates - one restricted for use inside 20nm from a safe haven and the other unrestricted.
To date, more than 1000 fishermen have been issued with the restricted certificates and almost 2000 with unrestricted certificates; a further 4500 fishermen have completed some of the required courses.
Simon Potten, Head of Safety and Training at Seafish, comments: "For a voluntary certificate, this is a remarkable achievement. There is no legal requirement for skippers of fishing vessels less than 16.5m to be qualified, but this demonstrates the responsible attitude of the skippers that have embraced this certificate voluntarily."
Attendance has been helped by the fact that, thanks to funding from a variety of sources (including Seafish, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and the European Fisheries Fund), the training has been offered free-of-charge.
Other incentives have been provided by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, which accepts the Under 16.5m Skipper's certificate for use in Small Commercial Vessel Operations, enabling holders to supplement their fishing income by undertaking work in other maritime industries (see Marine Guidance Note No. 411 for details).
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency also accepted the Seafish 5-day Bridge Watchkeeping course (a requirement of the unrestricted certificate) as the minimum qualification for someone to take a navigational watch on larger vessels.
When issued by Seafish, the Under 16.5m Skipper's certificate is valid for five years. Currently holders are only required to re-attend Safety Awareness training and evidence recent experience to revalidate their certificate for a further five years. This may change in future as Seafish is currently developing a more in-depth fishing vessel stability course to address continuing safety concerns.
All holders are encouraged by Seafish to develop their skills and knowledge further and many have gone on to complete more advanced training courses. Funding is currently available to support this, please contact Seafish on 01472 252302 for information.
Anyone who has completed all the training courses currently required has until 31 December 2015 to apply for their Skipper's Certificate before the changes come into effect.
As a result, from January 1, fishermen who require the restricted certificate will have to complete a 2-day engineering course and those who require the unrestricted certificate will have to complete a 30-hour course. This qualification ensures that skippers of these boats are multi-skilled, thereby helping to prevent breakdowns and accidents involving engines and machinery.
Since its launch in 2007, the voluntary Seafish Under 16.5m Skipper's Certificate has proved hugely popular with experienced fishermen. Comprising a number of short courses in watchkeeping, engineering, stability and radio operation and a requiring evidence of appropriate experience, there are two certificates - one restricted for use inside 20nm from a safe haven and the other unrestricted.
To date, more than 1000 fishermen have been issued with the restricted certificates and almost 2000 with unrestricted certificates; a further 4500 fishermen have completed some of the required courses.
Simon Potten, Head of Safety and Training at Seafish, comments: "For a voluntary certificate, this is a remarkable achievement. There is no legal requirement for skippers of fishing vessels less than 16.5m to be qualified, but this demonstrates the responsible attitude of the skippers that have embraced this certificate voluntarily."
Attendance has been helped by the fact that, thanks to funding from a variety of sources (including Seafish, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and the European Fisheries Fund), the training has been offered free-of-charge.
Other incentives have been provided by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, which accepts the Under 16.5m Skipper's certificate for use in Small Commercial Vessel Operations, enabling holders to supplement their fishing income by undertaking work in other maritime industries (see Marine Guidance Note No. 411 for details).
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency also accepted the Seafish 5-day Bridge Watchkeeping course (a requirement of the unrestricted certificate) as the minimum qualification for someone to take a navigational watch on larger vessels.
When issued by Seafish, the Under 16.5m Skipper's certificate is valid for five years. Currently holders are only required to re-attend Safety Awareness training and evidence recent experience to revalidate their certificate for a further five years. This may change in future as Seafish is currently developing a more in-depth fishing vessel stability course to address continuing safety concerns.
All holders are encouraged by Seafish to develop their skills and knowledge further and many have gone on to complete more advanced training courses. Funding is currently available to support this, please contact Seafish on 01472 252302 for information.
Anyone who has completed all the training courses currently required has until 31 December 2015 to apply for their Skipper's Certificate before the changes come into effect.
Wednesday 2 December 2015
Ifit's in the fridge.
A handful of buyers huddle outside the market fridge this dark Wednesday morning...
while the remainder haggle over the handful of boxes of fish that were landed by a few hardy inshore boats who braved the weather yesterday...
and with the weather poor enough to keep all the inshore boats in port for the foreseeable future and the rest of the fleet, almost all of whom sailed yesterday toughing out heavy seas, it is likely that the market boxes won't see any quantity of fish until the weekend...
premium prices for premium fish today...
the Padstow netter Charisma is the only netter still in port but due to sail today.
Tuesday 1 December 2015
The next train on platform two .... is the lobster express from Cornwall.
Live Lobsters take the train to London
Committed to the communities we serve, GWR has teamed up with InterCity RailFreight Ltd, WEGO Carbon Neutral Couriers and local fisherman to help get their products to market quicker, as well as enabling them to add hours to production times.
Improving sustainability, reducing CO2 emissions by getting vans off the road, and improving the freshness of produce, the service will see live and fresh produce traditionally carried to market by the road network taken by train.
Utilising space in what is traditionally referred to as the Guard’s van, live shellfish will be packed in special cold crates on the daily 1739 service from Penzance, arriving into London Paddington at 2344. From there it will be collected by WEG0 Carbon Neutral Couriers and taken to its final destination.
Supported by St Ives MP Derek Thomas, renowned restaurateur and chef Nathan Outlaw, and welcomed by Rail Minister Claire Perry, the first live lobster train will leave Penzance at 1000, and is set to arrive at London Paddington at 1521 (the special trains will usually depart Penzance at 1739, arriving into London Paddington at 2344).
GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: “With our 50 in 15 campaign to source local produce for our services from within 15 miles of the railway, and our investment in the renowned Pullman Dining services, when the opportunity came to support this lobster transport trial, we snapped it up. “Investing in the local economy in an innovative way, this really does provide a sustainable solution for restaurants to be able to serve the freshest, and the very best of, Cornish produce.”
Jeff Screeton, Managing Director of InterCity RailFreight is expected to say: “We have proven that using rail in this way can cut both costs and emissions by up to 60% while saving time and opening up opportunity. Having access to frequent high speed rail services opens up new market for regional small and medium businesses and enables them to sustainably tap into the huge potential from e-commerce.”
MP for St Ives said at the launch in Penzance: “We have such a great story to tell here in Cornwall and on Scilly. Using the train service to get our quality fresh goods into the heart of London helps us to develop our 'brand' in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way and opens up new markets to the many businesses that produce fantastic products but are held back by our transport system. I hope to see this pilot grow into a service that creates jobs and opportunity for people in Cornwall and on Scilly.”
As well as fresh shellfish, it is anticipated that the train will also be able to carry fresh flowers from Cornish suppliers to the London market, as part of the three-month trial.
Quay Issues - the way ahead!
While most 16 year-olds are hunched over their phones or fretting about homework, Ben Lowe is out on the open sea pondering the expansion of the business empire he founded when he was a schoolboy.
The entrepreneurial teenager is making a splash with his one-man fishing business which sees him supply fresh lobster, crab and line caught fish to restaurants and wholesalers across Cornwall.
He is the skipper of his own 8.2metre catamaran, Atlantic Voyager operating from Newquay, and despite the fact he already operates 80 pots is looking to boost that to up to 400 and open a retail unit. Ben, who bought his first licensed vessel when he was just 13, has become something of a poster boy for the future of the fishing industry, which he is convinced has a vibrant future.
"I love the freedom of it, because I can work at my own pace and choose my own ways," he said. "I also like finding new ways of fishing and of course, being my own boss. "Besides, it is very nice and peaceful to be out at sea on your own."
Ben first caught the fishing bug thanks to his parents, who own Atlantic Diver, a diving and wildlife tourism business. He started going out to sea at the age of five, accompanying his father, Chris, on fishing trips with tourists. "I loved being on the boat, out in the open and wanted to find a way of making a living from it, so I chose to become a commercial fisherman," he said. "It's an ever-changing environment, meaning no two days are the same.
"The volume and species you catch varies with the weather and the seasons so it means you constantly have to think on your feet and adapt your methods. "I also love the adventure of solving problems, for example when something goes wrong with the boat; you have to find out what's causing the problem and then find a way of fixing it. "Really though, it's a passion."
Ben, whose story features in the latest issue of the national seafood industry magazine, Quay Issues, officially launched his business in July when he was legally of age to do so. However, he was working towards that day for a long time and both he and his family spent years pulling together the resources and undertaking essential training. "To get to where I am today, my family and I invested in many boats, first starting off with smaller boats and doing them up, selling them and progressing on to slightly larger boats. "Eventually I built up sufficient capital to buy a big enough boat that I could use for commercial fishing."
The financial side was the biggest hurdle, especially coping with the start up costs which mean that for at least a year Ben said he would be "effectively losing money" as he builds the business. He has shown remarkable acumen however by spreading out investments over time, buying and renovating boats and using profits to inch up the ladder. He said: "Eventually when I was about 13, a very cheap, very run down licensed fishing vessel came onto the market, which I bought and slowly upgraded to its current condition." Ben is confident that the fishing industry has a buoyant future.
"The local inshore industry is very sustainable and the fish stocks are being maintained well at the current rates of stock recovery. "The fishing knowledge and experience I'm gaining right now will be very useful in the future, especially as I learn more and get better at fishing over the coming years. "Also, I love being part of the Newquay harbour fishing community. "Everyone here looks after each other and I want to continue being part of this vibrant community."
Read more from the West Briton here:
He is the skipper of his own 8.2metre catamaran, Atlantic Voyager operating from Newquay, and despite the fact he already operates 80 pots is looking to boost that to up to 400 and open a retail unit. Ben, who bought his first licensed vessel when he was just 13, has become something of a poster boy for the future of the fishing industry, which he is convinced has a vibrant future.
"I love the freedom of it, because I can work at my own pace and choose my own ways," he said. "I also like finding new ways of fishing and of course, being my own boss. "Besides, it is very nice and peaceful to be out at sea on your own."
Ben first caught the fishing bug thanks to his parents, who own Atlantic Diver, a diving and wildlife tourism business. He started going out to sea at the age of five, accompanying his father, Chris, on fishing trips with tourists. "I loved being on the boat, out in the open and wanted to find a way of making a living from it, so I chose to become a commercial fisherman," he said. "It's an ever-changing environment, meaning no two days are the same.
"The volume and species you catch varies with the weather and the seasons so it means you constantly have to think on your feet and adapt your methods. "I also love the adventure of solving problems, for example when something goes wrong with the boat; you have to find out what's causing the problem and then find a way of fixing it. "Really though, it's a passion."
Ben, whose story features in the latest issue of the national seafood industry magazine, Quay Issues, officially launched his business in July when he was legally of age to do so. However, he was working towards that day for a long time and both he and his family spent years pulling together the resources and undertaking essential training. "To get to where I am today, my family and I invested in many boats, first starting off with smaller boats and doing them up, selling them and progressing on to slightly larger boats. "Eventually I built up sufficient capital to buy a big enough boat that I could use for commercial fishing."
The financial side was the biggest hurdle, especially coping with the start up costs which mean that for at least a year Ben said he would be "effectively losing money" as he builds the business. He has shown remarkable acumen however by spreading out investments over time, buying and renovating boats and using profits to inch up the ladder. He said: "Eventually when I was about 13, a very cheap, very run down licensed fishing vessel came onto the market, which I bought and slowly upgraded to its current condition." Ben is confident that the fishing industry has a buoyant future.
"The local inshore industry is very sustainable and the fish stocks are being maintained well at the current rates of stock recovery. "The fishing knowledge and experience I'm gaining right now will be very useful in the future, especially as I learn more and get better at fishing over the coming years. "Also, I love being part of the Newquay harbour fishing community. "Everyone here looks after each other and I want to continue being part of this vibrant community."
Read more from the West Briton here:
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