Monday morning in Newlyn.

Busy looking market this morning after a fine spell of weather over the weekend saw most of the fleet at sea...

ray wings a'plenty...

as were the mackerel...

while inshore trawlers made the best of what quality fish are on the grounds at this time of year from John Dory...

to red mullet...

plaice...

the odd slack box of squid and cuttles...

and a few bass from the netter Ocean Pride...

young Roger Nowell did well to pick up this shot of ray...

and the odd hake...

while Richard with the Still Waters bagged this fine brill...

just behind the tentacles of tis cuttlefish you can see the moth of the jet propulsion system that enables them to escape quickly from danger...

pollack is what the Ocean Pride targets...

good to see the boxes return to their normal shades of red and grey...

superb line caught squid...

the odd gilt head bream...

along with herring....

and grey mullet...

these scad will end up as pot bait for a crabber...

top of the tide sees a fair few netters back in port...

just what you don't need wrapped around your prop...

behold the gribble worm - it's amazing how such a small beast m has such an appetite for woood!

Job vacancy: Deputy Harbourmaster for Newlyn.

 

Newlyn netter Govenek of Ladram detained in Castletownbeare.

Around midnight on Wednesday the EFCA Fishery Protection Vessel Aegis... 

detained the British registered Newlyn based gillnetter in the Celtic Sea for an alleged fishing offence ...

and is escorted her into Castletownbere...

the Vigo based EU fisheries protection vessel makes weekly round trip to Cork to pick up the EU fisheries observers...

the Aegis was on patrol south east of Baltimore when she headed southwest and then west towards the Govenek of Ladram...

who was fishing for hake west side of the Pistola Bank. 

A statement from the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority said:

"The officers on board the European Fisheries Control Agency’s (EFCA) chartered vessel, AEGIS 1, in the Celtic Sea are part of EFCA’s joint deployment plan for Western waters. The AEGIS 1 escorted the fishing vessel into Castletownbere, at the SFPA’s request, where it is being detained for the suspected infringement of fishing gear regulations. EFCA organises joint fisheries control and inspection activities under joint deployment plans with national sea-fishing regulatory authorities, including the SFPA." 

The detention occurred after a 'routine' inspection when the observers were unhappy with the number of dolphin 'pingers' employed by the Govenek.  Skipper Phil Mitchell said later that he was using the latest in dolphin pingers which have a range of 2.5km and are twice as powerful as the original version and EU regulation approved. Pingers were deployed at the end of each tier of nets as per normal when fishing for hake but this did not satisfy the SFPA inspectors and the Govenek was escorted in to port to await a judgment - with skipper Phil facing impounding the vessel, confiscation of his catch and a maximum of ten years in jail - not a comforting thought for any skipper. 

Eventually, the boat was released without charge this afternoon and headed back to the grounds, not that will make up for two days lost fishing!

First freezing #FishyFriday this year in Newlyn!

The sight of an ill-fitting hard hat three sizes too small earlier in the week provided a first glimpse of the big Padstow man himself...

in this celebration of skippers-to-be in the Swordfish circa 1985 cuddling a very young Billy Bunn, alongside another big skipper-to-be, Don Liddicoat and (seated) skipper/owner of the Ocean Harvester, Mervyn Mountjoy, sadly now no longer with us...

interesting headgear of some sort has always been a feature of...

young Roger Coutsoubos' time at the fishing...

Tom Hill at the helm, of the landing winch...

and relief sipper of the good ship Enterprise putting the starboard side trawl back together...

every night is sardine night at the moment...

even tough the boats are on a 10 ton daily quota...

as problems with the export of fish to the EU via France are still fraught with issues over sending fish away in seawater which does not meet the health requirements as the UK is now treated as any other nation state outside of the single market, 'c'est la vie' as they say...

back to a rather chilly sub-zero FishyFriday and there were a few boxes of cuttles on sale...

along with some dinner-plate sized turbot...

big plaice...

perfectly pink red mullet...

braces of Dover sole...

and a good few mackerel...

to go with a fish that to the untrained eye looks just like a Cornsih (megrim) sole...

rays continue to make up a good percentage of trawl trip landings...

as do lemons...

and for the beam trawlers in the fleet, monkfish...

the real thing, Cornish sole...

and one of Cap'n Cod's finest line caught bass...

to go with just a handful of squid who really have not been in evidence for a few years now...

catching the sun's rising rays, the IFCA protection vessel, St Piran...

with not a cloud in the sky and a chill from the Combe river feeding into the bay, the temperature at sea level was -1˚ this morning - which by Cornish standards is close to approaching absolute zero the significance of which may be recalled if you can cast your mind back to that science lesson at school on the subject......

the Trevessa IV is back in her favourite berth...

while the Enterprise waits in the only other berth that is available to her, drawing over 5m at the stern she is severely restricted in her ability to manoeuvre in the harbour other than just just a few hours either side of high water - which is why the harbour's Advisory Board held an exhibition recently to gather the views and thoughts of harbour users in planning for future expansion of the port to cater for the needs of an increasingly larger and more sophisticated fleet of vessels...

'tiz a cold Cornish day...

as the Charlotte Clare hunts for a dawn haul of sardines...

as a handful of hardy souls engage in the latest craze to hit Mounts Bay, taking a selfie on your phone while turning blue in freezing water...

not a bad start to the day for landlubbers either.

 

Survey on new slipping/shiplift Facilities for Newlyn Harbour.

Newlyn Harbour Advisory Board is undertaking a survey of boat owners and harbour users, to asses the business case for new slipping facilities and advise the harbour commissioners.

The Advisory Board recently held a two day consultation/exhibition in the market over the Christmas period. The consultation/exhibition was held so that Harbour users and the public could view the concept plans for Newlyn's future expansion. Part of the concepts are for a new slipping/shiplift facility, to be located within the harbour. That consultation gave an opportunity for the public to view the plans and give feedback.

We received very positive comments and great feedback for the entire concept plan. For the purpose of this survey, we have included the comments given to the proposed shiplift facility concept.

"We need more slipping berths"  

 

"There needs to be engineering workshops located at Sandy Cove."  

 

"The shiplift needs to cater for all vessels currently in the harbour up 40 metres."  

 

"The shiplift needs to be able to lift heavier and larger boats than the current slip."  

 

"Newlyn needs a multiple berth shiplift like they have in Fraserburgh."  

 

"Any shiplift facility will need a painters shed and workshop."  

 

"Will need scissors-lift machines, pressure washers, and cherry pickers."  

 

"Can we cater for a covered slipping shed for smaller vessels?"  

 

"A crane and hard standing to lift out under 12 metre vessels."  

 

"Shiplift needs to be dredged or deep enough water to take the largest boats on any tide."

From these and other comments and with speaking to harbour users, it is clear that improved and increased slipping/maintenance facilities are very much needed and that these are regarded as a priority.

The questionnaire attached is designed to asses not only the size and weight capacity of any proposed shiplift facility, but to also gauge how much business currently leaves Newlyn to slip elsewhere and also what that costs harbour users in time, plus cost of travelling to other ports.

These questions make up an important part of the business case, so that Newlyn harbour can write a funding bid and make the case to get the best possible outcome for harbour users.

The survey also contains a comments section, for any other feedback. 

You can complete the survey here, online or download the same form from this link and return via post to:

Advisory Board

Harbour Office

22 The Strand

Newlyn

TR18 5HW

The slip in Newlyn is in constant use with vessels of all sizes...

but for quick jobs like scrubbing off weed or clearing a fouled prop boats can go ahead of the fish market...

which was used for much bigger boats until the market was extended inwards and dredged in the late 1980s...

or alongside the North Pier...

but that can only be done on big spring tides and involves a degree of risk as the boat needs to be secured so that it leans into the quayside as the tide recedes...

especially as the harbour bed slopes away from the quay...

alternatively, smaller boats make use of the Canners slip, again only on bigger tides - and any work there, as elsewhere in Newlyn is carried out at all times exposed to the elements.

Fisherman's Trailblazer Apprenticeship - what you need to know.

A new fishing apprenticeship has been given the green light and people looking for a career at sea will have the opportunity to start an 18-month Commercial Fishing Apprenticeship, a process which has been led by the Cornish Fish Producers’ Organisation (CFPO).

This week, the CFPO announced the approval of a new national fishing apprenticeship standard, designed by experienced skippers, crew and CFPO Youth Board members. The Commercial Fishing Apprenticeship will be rolled out by training providers from 2022.

“It’s ambitious, but it has to be,” said Chris Ranford, CEO of the CFPO. “We are training the future of the industry, and want to have that in mindset from the start.”

The 18-month level 2 Fisher apprenticeship represents a step-change for the industry by carving out a clear professional pathway into the industry – one that is aspirational, where apprentices will be paid to learn and obtain a raft of qualifications along the way. The apprenticeship has been designed by a Trailblazer group, in conjunction with the Institute for Apprenticeship and Technical Education and funding support from The Fishmongers’ Company. The Trailblazer group has a diverse membership of young and experienced skippers, vessel owners and crew members from around the English coast, ensuring the standard is rooted in the needs of the industry.

“Contributing our experience meant we could ensure the apprenticeship included those skills I look for as an employer,” said vessel owner and CFPO member Anthony Hosking, who Chairs the Trailblazer group. “This recognised qualification will be a mark of excellence for the next generation.”

The CFPO led regular workshops which provided a platform for the forward-looking younger members of the Trailblazer group to shape the standard by sharing what young people want from a career, alongside their experiences of entering the industry and the barriers they’ve faced, whilst experienced skippers could share knowledge borne from years at sea.

“The apprenticeship had to be appealing to young people, which was a crucial role for the Youth Board,” said Trailblazer group and CFPO Youth Board member Brackan Pearce. “This course will help to reshape how young people see fishing, making it a more attractive and exciting career choice. We now have something that we can market to young people to encourage them into a career in fishing.”

The apprenticeship will build the knowledge and skills needed to understand the range of vessels and catching methods in use, the important role of science, data collection and sustainability, plus the practical skills involved in engineering, navigation, and managing and maintaining gear. Safety will be a top priority throughout the course. Apprentices will also gain industry-recognised qualifications throughout the apprenticeship.

For more information, get in touch with Chris Ranford at the CFPO: