Wednesday is hake day in Newlyn.

Cool blue hues this morning...

though with the amount of blubber and fur this guy enjoys he probably thinks it is positively balmy...

it's a full market this morning with plenty of big trips from the likes of the Ajax...

Ygraine...

and the Ocean Pride all landing plenty of HSC Certified hake...

and the bass are back in town...

putting plaice in its place...

the boats can land dogs again, this is the first of them since the ban was lifted - not that any of the netting fleet are keen on catching them as they do much dam age to the fragile nets they use if caught in any number...

though they would be happy to catch more of these bug fellas, if only they fetched a decent price...

inshore trawl fish, keep those ray coming guys...

one decent cock crab...

top turbot...

a few more mackerel being landed these days...

tubs, always a good catch...

the greater weaver, tasty indeed...

and more shiny ones...

typical inshore trawl trip...

stack 'em high...

plenty of young Mr Smith's prime pollack...

and higher still...

and more shiny ones...

at least when a cat goes aground you don't have to worry about ;leaning her into the quay as the tide drops...

visiting Brixham beam trawler, Kerrie Marie...

and the Monty of Ladram both put their fish ashore headed for sale on Brixham market tomorrow...

one of the few restaurants in west Cornwall right next to the sea with a ringside seat of harbour action.

After a bender, it's Monday morning in Newlyn and not a stone in sight!

Poor weather drove a few boats back to port over the weekend...

including the St Georges...

although this is not the kind of bender skipper Don would have wanted in the heavy weather he was fishing in...

it took 15 hours of careful steaming to retrieve the gear and steam the boat safely home with the starboard beam made fast to the side of the boat to minimise any further damage

but blue skies herald slightly more settled weather for the first day of fish landings in April...

with plenty of fish and the usual spread of species on the auction this morning, fish like black bream...

bass...

and MSC Certified hake from the Ocean Pride...

while the St Georges being the only beam trawler to land the market was kept stocked up with monk tails galore...

time to takeaway the morning's purchases...

like works of modern art, the backs of undulate ray never fail to intrigue...

brown and spider claws...

John Dory are never really off the landing sheets but at this time of year thin on the ground...

well, when you're this big you get to have a box all to yourself...

top drawer fish, Dover sole...

turbot...

and brill...

tub gurnard, a must for any fish supper for you and friends...

pollack have big white flakes similar to cod, head to any French inspired recipes for the b est way to cook these fish...

while haddock remain one of the most flavoursome white fish of all...

yet more quality hake from the Ajax...

and a good sized black bream...

and they used to think the Trevessa IV was a big boat!

What is "demersal seine" fishing and why is it contested? - Breton fishermen are worried.

We have heard little about it and yet it could be the subject of a ban decided at European level today. Here is what it consists of.

Bottom trawling: Brittany the first victim of its ban by Brussels? [Video]

By imposing a ban on bottom trawling, the European Commission could give the final blow to Breton fishing, which is already in bad shape. Some Member States, including France, have however raised their voices in the face of this Brussels "action plan" containing inconsistencies and approximations.

Bottom trawling: France at the forefront Bottom trawling, an old sea snake for fishing professionals in Europe. Several member states of the European Union, including France and Spain, expressed their disagreement on Monday March 20 with the Brussels plan to ban bottom trawling in marine protected areas. The countries concerned question the effectiveness of this ban and are concerned about its socio-economic impact on their respective fishing sectors.

In February, the European Commission presented an "action plan" calling on member states to develop a roadmap to ban bottom fishing in marine protected areas by 2030. Among the targeted gears, trawls, dredges, demersal seine or pots.

The objective of this initiative would be to help restore vulnerable ecosystems on the seabed. Namely that the areas covered by these prohibitions currently represent 12% of European waters, with an objective of extending to 30% by 2030.

The European Commission equates trawling and traps Fisheries ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday strongly criticized this project. German Minister of Agriculture (and in charge of fisheries) Cem Ozdemir declared that it was necessary to defend ecological interests, but that a balanced regulation was nevertheless essential to ensure a future for fishing. An activity “basis of the existence of coastal populations and creator of added value well beyond the fishermen ”, he added.

Cem Ozdemir also said the total ban on bottom fishing was excessive and would harm crab fishing, an “important tradition” in Germany and a “substantial source of income ”.

For his part, the French Secretary of State in charge of the Sea Hervé Berville has also stepped up to the plate against the measure, which also contains aberrant approximations. According to Hervé Berville, the text of the European Commission is "disconnected from reality" because it operates "no distinction in the mobile devices of funds". If it entered into force, it would " result in condemning European artisanal fishing ", estimated the former deputy for the second constituency of Côtes d'Armor.

The latter also considers that the proposed ban is based on insufficient scientific data and “has not been the subject of any in-depth impact study ”. Clearly, it would simply not be “proportionate to the objective pursued” .

EU food sovereignty in question More broadly, between the successive fleet exit plans (the last of which will hit Brittany hard ) and these new potential fishing bans, the question of EU food sovereignty will eventually arise. A problem also raised by Hervé Berville, who fears that European countries will be forced to import more fish from third countries to cope with this drop in intake in the auctions of EU ports. An incredible scenario which would not, however, be a first for Brussels…

In this regard, it should be remembered that the EU already imports two-thirds of its fish consumption, as stressed on Monday in Brussels by Luis Planas, the Spanish Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food . while the European fishing fleet has steadily shrunk in recent years. The Minister also urges the EU to maintain its "competitiveness ", especially against countries like the United States or Norway which shamelessly practice bottom trawling.

On the side of Portugal, another European nation where fishing plays a preponderant economic role, the Portuguese Minister Maria do Céu Antunes indicated that the stocks of species caught were currently "in good condition" in terms of their sustainability . The Portuguese executive also says it is “ concerned about the legal framework ” provided, namely an “action plan” sketched out at leisure by the European Commission. With all the inconsistencies that we know about him. Maria do Céu Antunes would have preferred instead of this plan a legislative text that the Member States could then negotiate.

Finally, for the professionals of the European Bottom Fishing Alliance (EBFA), " 25% of the volumes landed and 38% of the total income of the European fleet" would be threatened in the event of a ban on bottom trawling in the areas protected. This will also lead to the questioning of the economic sustainability of approximately “7,000 ships” .

As for Brittany, it would be affected first and foremost by this ban. Indeed, according to Olivier Le Nézet, the president of the National Fisheries Committee quoted by the Telegram , “74% of the Breton fleet operates in marine protected areas”.

Full story translated by Google and courtesy of Breizh-info.com , 2023, dispatches free of copy and distribution subject to mention and link to the original source

Career ending medicals for life-long fishermen? Draconian MCA safety rules? NGO dis/mis/false-information - We should learn from the French to protect our industry!

The Breton fishing protests continue. below are two articles, the first is an open letter written by skipper Christopher Quemener of the Kiosga, le Croisic who featured in one of the videos put out by the media this week. 

The second is comment from lecturer in geography at the UBO, attached to the Breton and Celtic Research Center in Brest, Yvanne Bouvet teaches and researches on the activities of marine areas and on natural spaces.

Yann Didelot and David LeQuintrec. Yann Didelot, skipper-owner of the Komz me Rèr and David Le Quintrec, skipper-fisherman of the Izel Vor II , in Lorient. ©Guy Pichard

"Ecology is like the sea; they go hand in hand, and you cannot learn about it solely from a book or by staying on land. It is time for me to explain the situation we are facing. In the midst of media coverage, our profession is striving to express itself as clearly as possible. From tomorrow onwards, the "dead sector" wants to be strong and aims to make the general public aware of the worrying truth of what is happening today and the consequences that follow, such as no future for us and no more fish for consumers. The challenges that we face are more daunting than the challenges of navigating through rough sea conditions. These challenges come from both European and French sources. Unfortunately, some associations have chosen to focus on easy successes and lack a real ecological conviction.

The list of reasons for my dramatic observation of the current state of affairs, such as "the boats are sinking, the industry is collapsing," and the cry of alarm from the tipping point where we stand, is no longer an illusion. The ban on bottom fishing by 2030 following the European action plan, the closure of fishing zones in the Bay of Biscay to limit the accidental capture of dolphins, the constant criticism from environmental groups to deconstruct the basis of our profession, the lack of recognition from the state of our primary purpose, which is to feed the population, the financial pressures resulting from the ever-increasing administrative burden of control, inflation, lack of youth, lack of manpower, lack of vision over time, and so on.

It is essential to understand that these restrictions will have no benefits on the maritime environment. Fishing as a whole is striving to be ever more sustainable and responsible. We are continuously improving, observing, preserving, and evolving. We participate in all the scientific programs proposed, and we clean up the sea by fishing all sorts of waste to bring it ashore. We have a positive outlook on the resource, but of course, there are still efforts to be made.

Unfortunately, we can see that the lack of knowledge among decision-makers about the maritime environment is leading to aberrations. Calculated data using algorithms is attempting to replace the reality that we live in and describe, and that no one seems to follow. For example, the case of dolphins. Who loves dolphins more than us? How can we think that we want to capture them, or worse, not care about capturing them? On the contrary, we avoid them while fishing to better observe them while making our way.

So, what do we want? Do we want to eat imported fish, square fish, farmed fish, or not eat fish at all? Should we continue to make fun of ourselves by shouting about short circuits and carbon footprints while wishing ourselves dead with "I don't like fishing"? Should we be more concerned about the image of a dead dolphin, the cause of which is never proven, or the programmed death of the entire artisanal fishing industry? Should we accept being described as a virtual reality by lobbying and communication rather than listening to the reality of the sentinels of the sea that we are?

All these successive events are pushing the ambitious young people away from the sector and making the less young leave more quickly. The state must plan the future with us; otherwise, the whole sector will die. Fishing is in danger, and we need Mr. Berville's help. We are meeting with him today, so it is time to share a lot, help us, and make us proud. Rallies will be organised during this "dead line" all over France, including the one in Le Croisic at 2 pm on Friday from the Mont Esprit for a march and a wreath-laying to symbolise the death of this line."

Marine resources: "There are decisions that go beyond fishermen and researchers", says Yvanne Bouvet

[Use Google translate (right click select translate) for any links.]


Lecturer in geography at the UBO, attached to the Breton and Celtic Research Centre in Brest, Yvanne Bouvet teaches and researches on the activities of marine areas and on Latin American areas. (Personal collection Yvanne Bouvet) A geographer specializing in fishing, Yvanne Bouvet shares her expertise. The university from Brest stresses the need to preserve fishing and marine resources. Does restricting access to fishing areas pose a problem of food sovereignty? Today, in France, fishing and aquaculture represent a production of 720,000 tonnes for just over two million tonnes of imported products. We don't need French fish to feed the French population. On the other hand, it is a question of the place of fishing, of recognition of the place of the sea in the life of the territories.

Has the fishing effort increased? 

It has not diminished. Most fishing boats are small units. Boats under 12 meters whose impact is limited. We need to start hearing about the consequences of industrial fishing on marine resources. But it's hard to hear. What counts is the fishing effort: it is increasingly important.

To read on the subject Our dossier on the fishing crisis 

Fishermen have nevertheless worked on selectivity. Of course, there have been improvements. There are real efforts that have been made by the fishermen. They work more and more with researchers, are attentive to the management of stocks.

The situation is not simple. Fishermen have loans on their backs, families to feed. They are the ones who bring our coasts to life. Fishing is necessary but, at the same time, it is necessary to preserve the marine resources that have been harmed and not only because of fishing: there is maritime transport, pollution, more and more activities and global warming.

What would be the solution? 

Perhaps to stop subsidising very large boats on a European scale. To think about who owns the fish when fishing off the African coast. We cannot talk about fishing without mentioning the capital investments: an 18-metre multi-purpose boat is not the same job as an industrial shipping company in northern Europe, where boats are 130 meters long and fish in one day what a Breton boat catches in one year.

To read on the subject Victims of accidental captures, are the dolphins of the French coasts really threatened with extinction? 

Do consumers have a role to play? 

You have to become reasonable. If the French start eating hake, sardines, or very varied fish, there is no problem. Salmon is not really the right solution. We are at a time when we have to change our lifestyles so that people who are poorer than us do a little better. We have to share the wealth.

The anger of the fishermen, do you consider it legitimate? Yes, it is legit. There are political decisions that go beyond not only fishermen but also researchers. Natura 2000 areas, there are many. Until now, the protection of nature, in France, was not deployed on these closed parks. The Iroise marine park works pretty well because people talk to each other. We cannot make a top-down decision, even if there are areas where, indeed, trawling should be prohibited.

Fish of the Day - week 19 - that fish 'n' chips favourite - haddock

 

For many years, haddock has been one of the most talked about fish landed in Newlyn. Until the late 90s early 2000s, haddock were seldom landed in any quantity, either by the growing gillnet fleet or the trawl fleet. Historically, haddock were something of a rarity. In fact, I can remember a time when we would argue over who would get to take home the one decent sized haddock we had caught over five days trawling at sea, such was the esteem they were held in for eating!

Back then, haddock were then the subject of much discussion and debate because for some reason best know to themselves haddock were suddenly everywhere - even anglers fishing off the rocky cliffs in Mounts Bay were catching them! The problem for fishermen working in ICEs Area VII - ie, those waters surrounding Cornwall - was that the quota set and agreed by the CFP (Common Fisheries Policy) was almost non-existent for the fleet. This was as a direct result of the CFP catch quotas being set initially based on landing figures from the mid 1970s - and at that time very little haddock was landed by the predominantly longlining fleet that worked from Newlyn. The only piece of ground know to be good for haddock was the eponymous, 'haddock pitch' some 50 miles south-southwest of Newlyn.

One of Newlyn's most outspoken fishermen who railed against the CFP enforced quotas was Mike Mahon, better known as Grimmy Mike. One of the more contentious issues with the CFP was its inflexibility - even if stock levels were proven to be much bigger than historic figures suggested any change in increasing a TAC for a specific fish could not be by more than 10%.  Haddock were everywhere in the early 200s and Grimmy mIke grew ever more incensed at having to dump perfectly good fish. For a while he tried to fight the MMO (or MAFF as it was then) into letting him land the over-quota haddock that he caught citing that as it was (is) illegal to dump anything at sea - MAFF were not to be moved. In a show if defiance and moral indignation at such appalling food waste, Grimmy supplied the Mission in Newlyn with haddock for free - and anyone else who asked!

Things then took a turn for the worse for haddock - and other species. The highly publicised and successful 'Fish-Fight' campaign championed by TV chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittinstall - while well-intentioned - served only to make matters worse by forcing Brussel's hand into introducing clumsy legislation - the notorious and, in a mixed fishery, completely unworkable 'nil-discards' rule. Haddock became what was known as a 'choke' species - whereby if a boat ran out of monthly or (and possible with haddock as it was in such abundance) annual quota then the boat would be forced to fish elsewhere around the coast where it wouldn't catch any haddock - in theory possible in a larger boat with accommodation able to work far from home but entirely impracticable in a small boat.

Today, in ICES Areas b-k there is a 1.5 ton rising to 2 ton (CFPO) quota per boat. This might sound a lot but in the wrong place at the wrong time even a small inshore trawler can catch a ton in a few hauls!

As the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide tells us, haddock is top of very many people's favourite fish and chip supper fish. Haddock is a naturally fluctuating stock, which does better during colder winters. The latest ICES report shows that stocks are now fairly high and that fishing effort has reduced to sustainable levels making this a good choice. Cornish boats often run out of haddock quota making this a choke species. Much effort is being made by demersal trawlers to be more selective and to avoid catching this species when necessary but it is difficult in our mixed trawl fisheries. Where possible, avoid eating undersized fish (below 30 cm) and during their main breeding season in March and April. In 2019 455 tonnes of haddock were landed to Cornish ports with a total value of £1million (MMO data). 

Top tip - if you do get given a whole haddock - don't forget to de-scale it - crispy haddock skin is divine - but now with the scales on!