Fladda Maid, nee Crystal Sea II making her way up through the North Channel past Islay on the way to the land where she was built back in 1989 by McDuff shipyard.
Saturday 12 March 2016
New homeward bound, Fladda Maid just leaving the North Channel.
Fladda Maid, nee Crystal Sea II making her way up through the North Channel past Islay on the way to the land where she was built back in 1989 by McDuff shipyard.
Friday 11 March 2016
UK Sea Fisheries Statistics
Key statistics and trends in the UK sea fishing industry, including landings, employment, fleet size, trade, sustainability and comparisons with EU countries.
Fine #FishyFriday all set for the weekend.
Mornings don't come much better than this, Spring is springing today for sure...
so Nigel and the boys on the Innisfallen will be looking to catch...
a few of these...
look mum, no gloves...
that wry smile tells you the bidding is keen on this morning's auction...
especially for top quality fish like these monk tails...
soon to be whisked away...
along with plenty of ray...
and good landings of mackerel, though 30p per kilo for small won't pay too many bills this week after the handliners have had a pretty hard time of it over the last two months...
pristine pollack always go down well with the buyers...
all set to go...
the big netters all have to wait for this big spring tide to pass...
this pot has been on the seabed for some time...
not so the old cod end...
Jeremy makes his way out through the gaps...
while all the gear is going back aboard the Trevessa...
high water and these guys are going nowhere just yet...
while on the end of the quay a badly damaged trawl from the Elisabeth Veronique who has been working to the "Easta'rd" - ie off Plymouth for lemons...
awaits the attention of one of the port's most experienced inshore skippers...
as a different net for working local grounds off the Scillys...
is wound on the net drum...
at high water...
Celtic cousins...
guess which one is Breton...
and which one Cornish...
talking of Celtic, the Celtic Pride is in Newlyn...
showing her netter's stern...
the woodwork on the Gallilee is nearing completion, just the planks and rail to complete the job.
Thursday 10 March 2016
Efforts to save North Devon fishing future at key meeting
THE future of North Devon's fishing industry hangs in the balance today as the Government is confronted about a new ban on ray fishing. The National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations is calling for the Government's help in overturning the ban on the landing of small-eyed ray – imposed by the European Commission.
It will meet in Grimsby where fisheries minister George Eustice will be challenged about the ongoing ban, as well as restrictions on the landing of sole and bass.
According to John Balls, chairman of the North Devon Fisherman's Association, the region's fishing industry was in "grave danger" as a result of the ongoing restrictions – with few vessels specialising in white fish left in the region.
Torridge MP calls EU ban on fishing for bass 'insane' Mr Balls, who will be attending today's conference, said: "The small boats, they are just really being punished big time.
"At the moment you have S and P Trawlers working out of South Devon, Steve Taylor has sold one of his boats and is looking to sell the other if he gets the right price.
"That will leave no white fish boats working North Devon at all."
With more than 40% of the fish which comes ashore in North Devon coming from ray species, Mr Balls said the industry had now become unviable for all but the shell-fish trawlers. It comes despite efforts by the North Devon Fisherman's Association to contribute to the contribute to the conservation of rays in the Bristol Channel, which included a tagging scheme to monitor their population. The plea for Government support has been back by Torridge and West Devon MP Geoffrey Cox, who last month called the restrictions on sea bass fishing "insane".
"We are hoping this meeting will be one step forward," Mr Balls said. "Geoffrey Cox has done a lot for us but we need the support of George Eustice. "Unfortunately it's too late for some. How we are supposed to entice people into the fishing industry? That just isn't going to happen."
Later this month a meeting of the EU fisheries committee will take place, where the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations is hoping to get the ban overturned. Although it will be held behind closed doors, the campaign has received the backing of Ray Finch MEP, who is the UK's only member on the committee.
FISHERMENS STORES
NORTH Devon Council has confirmed despite the crisis in the region's fishing industry, it still expected its new storage building in Ilfracombe to be used. Head of property and technical services, Diana Hill, said: "The fishermen's stores were completed around Christmas time and we have agreed terms for a new lease to the local Fishermen's Association.
"As a result, we have instructed our Legal Services to prepare the appropriate documentation. "At this time and as far as we are aware, the fishermen wish to occupy the new store facility. "We therefore expect the fishermen to move in once the lease has been completed."
The £585,000 fishermen's stores, along with the improved facilities, were provided by North Devon Council and received more than £250,000 in funding the European Fisheries Fund.
Full story from the North Devon Herald & Express:
Follow us: @NDJournal on Twitter
It will meet in Grimsby where fisheries minister George Eustice will be challenged about the ongoing ban, as well as restrictions on the landing of sole and bass.
According to John Balls, chairman of the North Devon Fisherman's Association, the region's fishing industry was in "grave danger" as a result of the ongoing restrictions – with few vessels specialising in white fish left in the region.
Torridge MP calls EU ban on fishing for bass 'insane' Mr Balls, who will be attending today's conference, said: "The small boats, they are just really being punished big time.
"At the moment you have S and P Trawlers working out of South Devon, Steve Taylor has sold one of his boats and is looking to sell the other if he gets the right price.
"That will leave no white fish boats working North Devon at all."
With more than 40% of the fish which comes ashore in North Devon coming from ray species, Mr Balls said the industry had now become unviable for all but the shell-fish trawlers. It comes despite efforts by the North Devon Fisherman's Association to contribute to the contribute to the conservation of rays in the Bristol Channel, which included a tagging scheme to monitor their population. The plea for Government support has been back by Torridge and West Devon MP Geoffrey Cox, who last month called the restrictions on sea bass fishing "insane".
"We are hoping this meeting will be one step forward," Mr Balls said. "Geoffrey Cox has done a lot for us but we need the support of George Eustice. "Unfortunately it's too late for some. How we are supposed to entice people into the fishing industry? That just isn't going to happen."
Later this month a meeting of the EU fisheries committee will take place, where the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations is hoping to get the ban overturned. Although it will be held behind closed doors, the campaign has received the backing of Ray Finch MEP, who is the UK's only member on the committee.
FISHERMENS STORES
NORTH Devon Council has confirmed despite the crisis in the region's fishing industry, it still expected its new storage building in Ilfracombe to be used. Head of property and technical services, Diana Hill, said: "The fishermen's stores were completed around Christmas time and we have agreed terms for a new lease to the local Fishermen's Association.
"As a result, we have instructed our Legal Services to prepare the appropriate documentation. "At this time and as far as we are aware, the fishermen wish to occupy the new store facility. "We therefore expect the fishermen to move in once the lease has been completed."
The £585,000 fishermen's stores, along with the improved facilities, were provided by North Devon Council and received more than £250,000 in funding the European Fisheries Fund.
Full story from the North Devon Herald & Express:
Follow us: @NDJournal on Twitter
What a difference a day makes.
Pounded to pieces, just some of the damage inflicted by yesterday's un-named storm force 10 winds that lashed the Western Approaches...
over in the 12th Century harbour new heavy duty steel ladders have been installed...
while on the slip the newly named Fladda Maid and numbered UL 209...
or as she was known, Crystal Sea II is all...
painted up below the waterline...
ready for her new life north of the border...
back on port this morning is the huge Belgian beam trawler Marbi...
back in Newlyn for a few jobs and time for a Springtime bottom scrub...
the inshore trawler Sowenna as a great example of a how to get the best from a small boat...
there's a chance of a few light showers this morning...
as the sun makes the world seem a whole lot brighter this morning...
even the resident seal is enjoying a late breakfast, one less for the netters to worry about stripping the fish from their gear...
in a day or two there win't be a boat in port, with the big Spring tide the netters are all waiting for the neaps to begin...
Bonnie Lass, all set to dry out on the hard later...
over in the Jubilee Pool the long arm of the...
liquid cement machine set up to line the bottom of the pool is all set for today's delivery.
French trawler St Christophe falls over at low water and sinks in Dartmouth harbour.
Five French fishermen were rescued from their trawler as she started to list heavily on a falling tide in Dartmouth Harbour.
Three French pair trawlers from Cherbourg had sought shelter in Dartmouth Harbour from the very rough conditions at sea.
Two of them, the Sagittaire and the Saint Christophe, were tied up to the Town Quay when the emergency services were called. Both trawlers were listing severely, there was a report of a fire on board one and both crews needed evacuation.
The Dart inshore lifeboat evacuated three of the crew from the Sagittaire over the stern and then returned for the next two, one of whom had to be lowered from the transom with a rope. The Fire Service sent two Appliances from Dartmouth, one from Kingsbridge and a pump and a Command Unit from Totnes. They rescued the crew of the Saint Christophe by ladder and established that there was no fire.
The spring tide was at its lowest at 12.33am and it became apparent that the Saint Christophe was not re-righting herself. The lifeboat crew were asked to try and establish whether there was internal flooding in the vessel. They did so and found it to be severe.
The two crews were taken to the lifeboat station for hot drinks and to warm up. A boom was placed round the vessel by the Dart Harbour Authority vessel, Hercules.
The Caen registered St Christophe sank in Dartmouth harbour last night...
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| Photo courtesy of Darren Douthwaite |
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| AIS courtesy of VesselTracker |
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