Fishing in a changing seascape.

 ALL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP ON FISHERIES POLICY BRIEF POLICY BRIEF NO. 19 - JANUARY 2023

WHY WAS THIS EVENT CONVENED?

Competition for space in UK waters is regarded by many fisheries stakeholders as the single greatest challenge now facing the fishing industry. On 30 November 2022, the APPG on Fisheries organised an event bringing together Parliamentarians, policymakers, fishing industry representatives, and other marine stakeholders to discuss challenges around marine spatial planning (MSP) and potential policy solutions.

This is not an official publication of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. It has not been approved by either House or its committees. All-Party Parliamentary Groups are informal groups of Members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in this report are those of the group. www.fisheriesappg.org | secretariat@fisheriesappg.org 

Various activities in UK waters contribute to marine spatial competition, including offshore wind farm development, Marine Protected Area designations, aquaculture, and pipelines and cables. However, attention at the APPG event focused mainly on offshore wind, which is viewed by the fishing industry as the most significant threat, especially as the expansion of offshore wind capacity accelerates to help meet the UK’s Net Zero by 2050 target (1, 2).

"There's always an assumption that fishing can move without harm. But it's like a piece of elastic - when it gets so far it runs out of stretch. And we're at that point now."

This briefing synthesises discussions from the APPG event. Where additional sources have been consulted in producing this briefing, citations are provided.

Plans to locate the wreck of cargo vessel MV Mark off Cornwall Published

There must be some skippers working from Newlyn who have an idea where the wreck of the Mark might be based on what they have seen on their sounders - unlike many wrecks from WWII she would be in almost perfect condition. It would be helpful to know where and when debris from the Mark was picked up.

A lifebelt from cargo vessel MV Mark was washed up after it sank

A boat skipper from Sweden plans to try to locate the wreck of a cargo vessel that sank on the same night as the Penlee Lifeboat Disaster. The MV Mark got into difficulty off Penzance, Cornwall, on the night of 19 December 1981, resulting in six crew losing their lives. The vessel has never been found and identified, although debris was found. Fredrik Lunde said he hoped to find the ship and get more information for the families of its crew. The bulk carrier, loaded with China clay, suffered engine failure and lost contact with the coastguard.

Skipper Frederik Lunde 

Fredrik Lunde became interested in the MV Mark after locals in Penzance told him about it Debris including a lifebelt was washed up, with the belt now hanging on the wall in a local pub, the Dock Inn in Penzance.

The sinking happened on the same night the Penlee lifeboat was dispatched to help the MV Union Star. Newspaper reports at the time pointed out that 22 lives were lost that night - 16 from the Solomon Browne lifeboat and the coaster it had attempted to reach.

The Jorgen Amundsen is being turned into a survey vessel Mr Lunde, who has been in Cornwall since April, said he became interested in the Mark after locals told him about it.

He said he planned to take out his converted Norwegian rescue ship, the Jorgen Amundsen, which he has been turning into a survey vessel, to examine a possible wreck site some 165ft (50m) deep, about seven nautical miles (13km) off Penzance.

Mr Lunde said reports about the sinking, weather data and a scan of the area in 2016 "fits very well" with the Mark possibly being there. He added he had been in contact with some of the families of Mark's crew. "It'll be very nice to give them some extra information," he said.

Dawn - another bit of Newlyn magic this morning.

No light in the sky but it is a spring tide so there is plenty of light from the boats in the harbour at high water...

sardines a-plenty landed overnight...

blood-red gills tells you all you need to know about how fresh these mackerel are...

and these jigged squid just as fresh...

Tom ma n aged to have the market almost all to himself for an inshore trawler landing...

as the most expensive fish on the market - around £27 per kilo - you would think whoever filleted this turbot was a little more careful - ex-Grimsby fish-filleter Vince, who was lost on the Margaretha Maria - would be spinning in his grave if he had one on seeing the cutout rate on this turbit carcass!..

crabs love their gurnards...

and there are three of them here waiting to go to see as the sun begins to crack the cloud cover...

and a few crew make their way down the quay at first light...

as the Kelly of Ladram takes on new nets...

the harbour is all set for a new day and more settled weather......

there is hardly a ripple in the water, apart from the old lugger herself...

dozens of tubs of nets are on the quay waiting to go aboard the netting fleet over the spring tide...

with cloud cover at almost 100% there is not much room for the sun to break through but when it does...

there is fire in the sky as the inshore boat Jen T heads out to sea.

From deck to wheelhouse: new grant scheme available to support next generation of skippers.

The Cornish Fish Producers’ Organisation (CFPO) has announced a new grant support scheme in partnership with the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) that will enable a cohort of fishermen to develop higher-level skills and sought-after qualifications to progress their fishing careers. This is a welcomed grant and will serve as a catalyst for helping fishermen move up the ranks and meet the needs of the industry.

One of the biggest barriers fishermen face in obtaining higher level qualifications is taking time off from going to sea, but with the grant support from the MNWB, there are now funds available to cover loss of earnings, travel, accommodation and some basic living costs.

Joel Dunn, CFPO Youth Board member and skipper, explained:

“Working towards developing the necessary skills and knowledge to obtain a Class 2 qualification takes time and dedication - the course runs for 12 weeks. Given the current financial climate, three months in a classroom is a significant amount of time to not be at sea earning, so the financial support from the MNWB will be a major help and certainly encourage people to take on the challenge and upskill themselves.”

Setting out as a pilot project, the up-and-coming fishermen will enrol on higher-level courses throughout 2023 to work towards their Class 3 and Class 2 qualifications. To obtain the qualifications, trainees will need to develop skills in navigation, meteorology, stability, chart work, safety, and management, with the training taking a minimum of 12 weeks.

Chris Ranford, Chief Executive Officer of the CFPO, stated:

“The CFPO published a new fishing strategy in 2022 and developing people is a key theme within it. Cornwall has a long tradition of producing top-class fishermen and this project will ensure we continue to nurture the talent that already exists within the industry and really help build careers in fishing. It’s not just about qualifications, this project also aims to improve people’s confidence and ambition to carry on progressing.”

Sharon Coveney, Deputy Chief Executive of the MNWB, commented:

“We have so many talented and experienced fishermen who work tirelessly to land around 400,000 tonnes of fish each year in the UK. There’s no escaping that being a fisherman is a physically and mentally demanding job with long hours and can be unpredictable at times. Yet, it’s one of the most rewarding sectors to work in providing high quality fish for millions of people. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial we see more people coming into the industry as well as those making real progression. We are delighted to provide this grant that will play a major role in boosting careers in this industry at a vitally-important time.”

The MNWB grant funding is available throughout 2023 and initially focuses on supporting CFPO members and their crew. If you would like to know more about this project, then please get in contact with the CFPO office.

The Shore, Penzance - check out the exciting new menu!

Wizard asian fusion wonder chef Bruce Rennie at The Shore who wowed several hundred lucky fish fans in Penzance before Christmas with his truly magnificent blue-fin tuna dishes has completely re-invented his offering for 2023!

Last year saw a massive shift in the market so he decided to diversify from his flight menu to attract a broader range of guests. The new offering has become more flexible from a price point and dish perspective. 

The Shore now offers two different services so you can choose which suits you best. Informal Izakaya (Japanese style tapas) style Tuesday – Thursday afternoons and set Kaiseki style Friday and Saturday evenings.

However, at the heart of this new approach he is maintaining his widely acclaimed Japanese flavour profiles that have earned him the highest Trip Advisor rating for any eating establishment in the area!

Bruce has said it is early days so he will stay flexible and listen to what people want and adapt the product when he sees necessary. Dining at  the Shore is all about having a bit of fun but keeping the quality of the cooking and service.

PS...lots of local beer and a bit of Sake will be available because they match brilliantly!    

Much fish on Monday morning's market in Newlyn.

With its southerly aspect, Newlyn and Mounts Bay get to enjoy some superb sunrises and this morning was no exception...

meanwhile, inside the fish market black is the predominant colour of things...

good to see plenty of ice on these mackerel - fish, especially oily fish like mackerel have their shelf-life extended greatly when ice well...

stack 'em high...

handy sized monk tails...

and a good sized John Dory from the Dawn Star...

the Ajax landed a good run of hake over the weekend to complete this mornings auction round-up......

good to see young Mr Nudd back in the wheelhouse chair of the Intuition...

much work to be done here...

someone should be able to ID this gear... 

the Ecume des Jours and the Erispoe both called in for ice this morning...

since they were introduced in the early 80s most French trawlers are built along the same lines - the wheelhouse sits on top of the shelterdeck with the access stairs, galley, skippers cabin, washrooms etc housed under the shelterdeck on both sides of the boat allowing a clear deck amidships from the stern up to the forepeak, an aft gantry caters for up to four net drums with the cod ends taken over the transom...

the catch drop on deck and are sorted into baskets...

like many of the boats in Newlyn who have conger eels to deal with in their catches it looks like the Breton guys also follow the practice of leaving them for  a watch or two before attempting to gut them - many a cherished gutting knife has had the blade snapped when a conger twits violently during the gutting process...

L'Ecume des Jours...

heads out through the gaps to resume fishing...

well south of Newlyn alongside the Erispoe...

it seems ageing members of the once mighty Stevenson fleet are being prepared for their final voyages to the scrapyard...

and are just waiting for a window in the weather before a tug can be despatched......

as the online auction nears its end the merchants arrive to pick up their morning purchases.

Fish of the Day - week 10 - coley.

Coley or coalfish, also known as saithe or locally as blackjack are a large whitefish similar to cod. 

They are caught and landed predominantly by the netters like the Ocean Pride when working on wrecks.

In Germany, they are preferred to cod where there has been a big market ever since the days of the distant water fleets fishing from Grimsby, Hull and Fleetwood. Rockall often provided big shots of coley - with some larger vessels making the long steam from the Rock to land direct to Germany in the 80s.

But the taste for coley has never quite matched that of the Germans in the UK. Years ago, when there was a Macfisheries shop on many high streets coley were sold as 'cat fish'. The flesh is firm and flaky but can be used in fish stews or pies.

An average price for saithe on the market would be around £3.00 per kilo.