Welcome to Through the Gaps, the UK fishing industry's most comprehensive information and image resource. Newlyn is England's largest fish market and where over 50 species are regularly landed from handline, trawl, net, ring net and pot vessels including #MSC Certified #Hake, #Cornish Sardine, handlined bass, pollack and mackerel. Art work, graphics and digital fishing industry images available from stock or on commission.
- a far cry from the ultra-modern Dutch fly-shooters that were operating off to the southar'd last month
the classic lugger Barnabas has had her masts restored to their rightful position...
the ever-changing scene in the harbour provides local and visiting artists like Lizzie Black and Clare Bowen with a wealth of views from which to take inspiration and capture on canvas...
be it close-up studies of fishing boats...
or a wider view of the gaps with the Mount in the distance.
Following their relaunch event, the industry-led charity Fishing into the Future (FITF) has published an event summary that encourages a commitment to the language of co-management in future fishing policy.
The ground-breaking ‘Cast Your Voice – The Future of Fisheries Management’ event on 1st April 2021 focused on creating a dialogue around fishing, science and policy, and was well-attended by a variety of people within the UK the fishing sector. It provided an opportunity for people working in fisheries to explore the concept of co-management, share their experiences and diverse approaches to management and science, and discuss their ideas for the future of UK fisheries management.
The highlight of the event came from within intimate, thought-provoking group discussions, led by FITF fishing industry Trustees, David Stevens, Adrian Bartlett, Peter Bruce, and Jimmy Buchan. Conversations emphasized the importance of true collaboration between industry members in policy and science, and ensuring well-structured and transparent management processes while trialling new approaches of working together. During the discussions there was a desire to move towards long-term commitments, with ideas put forward on what this might look like, how they could be funded, and how existing initiatives could be brought together effectively, with an appetite to see these approaches incorporated into policy.
Emma Plotnek, FITF Programme Manager said:
“We already know of so many forward-thinking initiatives that have the attributes of effective co-management and industry-led data collection – however, we must also remember we are still figuring out what co-management and collaborative science will look like in the UK. Looking to the future, we hope to see people from the industry engaged in the development of policies that tie these efforts all together.”
The event brought together a number of renowned, multi-disciplinary contributors, including
Alexa Dayton, Scientist at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, who explained the US approach to fisheries management;
Gus Caslake, Independent Chair of the Cornish Sardine Management Association, who spoke of collaboration and data collection within the organisation;
Alan Steer, Vice-Chair of the South Devon and Channel Fishermen, who gave an insight into the history of the Inshore Potting Agreement in South Devon; and
Jim Evans, Chair of the Welsh Fishermen’s Association (WFA), who presented on the effective relationship between the WFA and marine scientists to obtain data for better management decisions.
These insights were followed up with some perceptions from within Government, with key messages shared by Robbie Fisher of DEFRA and Jim Watson of Marine Scotland.
It was highlighted during the event that the Scottish Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030 already uses clear language that is committed to co-management. During the event, Jim Watson of Marine Scotland reaffirmed that a commitment to co-management needs to be built into each part of the management process - established during the initial stages of development right through to delivery. Drawing on this valuable insight, FITF have drafted a summary of the event, in which one of the take-home messages encourages the adoption of this approach more broadly into policy.
David Stevens, Chair of Fishing into the Future, said:
“A positive reception from government provided us with much reassurance, the next leap forward will be seeing specific wording in policy that commits all of us to these processes. We need to keep this at the forefront of our agenda as the Joint Fisheries Statement is being written throughout this year and next.”
FITF’s approach is unique and truly collaborative, as the charity is led predominantly by fishermen and those working in the fishing industry, who give their time voluntarily to support the charity whilst also running fishing businesses and working directly with the sector. FITF focuses on creating learning opportunities, encouraging collaboration, and providing a platform to enable effective dialogue and mutual understanding between the diverse set of people working across the fishing industry, science, and government. The short and clearly written event summary is available on the Fishing into the Future website and the event is available to re-watch in full on the FITF Facebook Page.
Silver Dawn at dawn heads in through the gaps for the fish market...
she will pass a bevvy of the port's biggest crabbers, five of them currently between trips...
tyre fenders in the making...
they could come in handy...
the weekend saw a number of landings from boats large and small including these top quality red mullet from the Harvest Reaper...
and signs that the good fishing on ray has come to an end...
things are still pretty slack on the squid front...
though haddocks - which famously 30 years ago when one was landed in Looe had to be identified when it was landed - now they are caught and landed in every port landing fish from the Western Approaches...
with no netters landing hake supplies came courtesy of the big Sottish prawn boat Vision IV currently fishing on the banks west of the Scillys.......
traditionally, Scottish boats land their monk whole...
simply gutted through the belly rather than headed as is the practice for most local boats...
the boat also landed a few boxes of red mullet and ray...
along with a bigger run of megrims sole...
the buyers may not be present on the market in person any more but their fish tallies are everywhere...
just the remnants remain of life before the internet auction went live...
reds don't come much better quality than these koi carp-like fish...
or these big JDs...
the big Irish trawler Unity made a good landing of reds...
JDs...
monk...
and haddock...
while the one beam trawler made do with megrims...
and monk as the bulk of its trip...
and just the one box of cod with the monthly quota barely workable...
the inshore guys landed their usual mix of top quality fish, some lucky enough to ht on a good shot of bass...
while others had to make do with pollack...
or cuttles...
meanwhile alongside the market the Silver Dawn was busy landing her first day's fishing of hake...
forced to head back to Newlyn with damage to the main net guide on the hauler...
with her nets still in the water the boat needs to get the repairs completed asap...
so she can get back to sea and continue fishing...
meanwhile, skipper Richard Carrol brings the crabber Nicola of Ladram alongside to take on spare gear and bait....
Just some of the boats coming and gong from Newlyn in recent days.
The new engineering workshop on the Canners slip is being kept busy and ideally suited to working on the plethora of small boats that Newlyn is home to...
the boys on the Unity will be dodging showers all day as they repair a spare trawl...
looks like the 100+ year old St Ives lugger Barnabas is about to have her masts put back in place...
four of the Rowse crabber fleet have a day off...
another member of the Scottish prawn fleet, Revival from Fraserburgh is in port...
come Monday all of Newlyn's pubs will be in action again and I'm sure Debbie will be in full-on bonhomie mode when she throws open the doors of the Star once more to thirsty guests...
who can now choose to socialise either there, the Swordfish...
eat at the Tolcarne, owner Ben Tunnicliffe has also taken on the Falmouth Packet at Rosudgeon...
or one of those delicious crab sandwiches at the Red Lion...
while heading towards Mousehole it doesn't look like any pints will be pulled in the Fishermens Arms just yet!..
this was the picture puzzle earlier in the week, looking closely at the far left can be seen two slip paths down to the beach...
which are still there today - thought the beach was reclaimed and built on over 100 years ago...
looking at the point at which the extent of the buildings in the painting as they are today - the iceworks did not exist at the time.
The West Brittany Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry continues to modernize its auctions with the KOSMOS digital sales platform.
Digitization is a priority subject and auctions are not immune to the digital transformation underway. In this context, the CCIMBO launched a call for tenders for the modernization of its 6 auctions in Brittany . The contract was awarded to Aucxis, which will digitize the auctions by implementing KOSMOS from 2021.
The CCIMBO manages 6 auctions: Le Guilvinec, Saint Guénolé, Douarnenez, Concarneau, Loctudy and Audierne. Each year, they process 50,000 tonnes of fish offered to 220 buyers, coming from 450 vessels. Although sales vary depending on the auction, the need for new digital systems is felt everywhere. In recent years, the demands of suppliers and buyers have changed dramatically towards distance shopping using a web browser or smartphone .
As a partner in auction automation for many years, Aucxis has developed KOSMOS , the digital sales platform in the cloud. With this standard and generic platform, it is easy to buy and sell in real time. Although KOSMOS is a standard platform, the different needs of each auction within the network are taken into account. The platform is available everywhere and accessible to everyone, allowing buyers and sellers to further improve their communication and make the data flow more reliable.
After a thorough analysis, the process of restructuring the sales systems will be developed in different stages. The terms of sale will be taken into account depending on the species, as well as the different types of equipment, such as weighing terminals and conveyors, which are an integral part of the process.
The final objective is the establishment of a fully online platform, easy to use and accessible to everyone and everywhere, aiming to connect the 6 auctions and to make the current structures and processes more efficient.
It seems the interest and demand for fresh, locally caught fish is continuing to grow, partly as the result of the Covid lockdown which saw a huge upturn in customers seeking out sources of fresh, local fish. A few months ago a deal was announced between supermarket chain Morrisons and buyer/ processor Falfish from Cornwall now it's the turn of Aldi who have introduced a line of 'Specialbuy' fish - all sourced from the fresh fish markets at Brixham, Plymouth and Newlyn.
Aldi is launching a new range of seasonal fish in a bid to support the British fishing industry that has been hit hard by the closure of hospitality venues.
On sale from Thursday 13th May from just £1.49, the Specialbuy range features species mostly fished on the south coast of Britain that would normally have been sold to restaurants across the UK and Europe.
It marks the first time that species such as Dover Sole, Lemon Sole, British Hake and Cornish Sardines have featured on the supermarket’s shelves, and the first time that Turbot has been sold in any major UK supermarket.
The fish is sourced from hundreds of independent fishermen working off the south coast who sell their catches at fish markets in Plymouth, Brixham and Newlyn, and is the result of Aldi extending its partnership with Plymouth-based supplier Sound Seafood.
Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK said: “At Aldi, we’re committed to supporting British food producers. With so many challenges facing the British fishing industry, we spoke to our suppliers to see what we could do to help. We’re delighted to be able to purchase this seasonal fish stock that might otherwise go to waste, and it’s great for customers too who’ll be able to enjoy restaurant quality seasonal fish at Aldi prices.”
Alison Pessell, Auctioneer at Plymouth Fish Market said: “This is a fantastic boost for our fishing community as it represents a real lifeline for our crews. In more normal times, much of the native fish caught off the South West coastline is destined for restaurants across the UK and Europe, so the fact that they’ve been closed for much of the past year has been devastating. We’ve worked hard to find other buyers for our fish, with some suppliers delivering boxes of fish directly to customers’ homes. The response has been fantastic, with consumers recognising the quality and variety of fish landed in our ports.
“Now Aldi has stepped in at a crucial time providing the opportunity to connect customers directly with British fish supplied from our coastal communities. This is a substantial new market opportunity. Aldi has recognised the efforts made every day by our fishermen and women in the UK and is able to now share restaurant quality fish with Aldi customers to enjoy at home.”
To help inspire shoppers on how to prepare the seasonal catches at home, Aldi has teamed up with renowned restaurateur, chef and food writer Mark Hix to create a series of delicious yet simple recipes.
Mark Hix said: “Our coastlines are teeming with wonderful, tasty native fish and I’ve been campaigning for years to encourage more people to try them. During lockdown I’ve seen a real shift towards eating seasonal and local food, with customers on my fish truck keen to know where their fish was caught. With this new range, Aldi is giving more people the chance to try these fantastic British fish at great value prices. And I’ll be sharing some simple seasonal recipes that cooks of all abilities can try at home.”
Aldi Specialbuys are limited-stock ranges that are launched in store and online every week and are available while stocks last. Specially Selected Dover Sole will be the first species in the range to go on sale from 13th May, with the other species to follow until 3rd June, and more hitting shelves between 1st and 22nd July.
Aldi is committed to championing British food producers, and earlier this year committed to spending an additional £3.5bn a year with British suppliers by 2025.
