Thursday evening in to #FishyFriday morning and it's -2˚ in Newlyn!

Heading for the gaps in only her second week of fishing, Inter-Nos, the latest boat to join the Cornish sardine fleet...

though she had to wait for the Billy Rowney to be nudged out of the gaps...

with the outside temperature lower than the inside of the market the fish were looking pristine on this morning's market, though only a few boxes of cuttles with the Enterprise which was the only major landing of the morning...

with a good selection of ray wings...

name this fish...

a smattering of handy cod...

and monk tails...

while the slack box of squid next to the cuttles is a reminder of how the larger mesh size used by the local trawling fleet has impacted on squid landings - most simply pass through the mesh of the trawl and cod end these days...

unlike this lucky conger...

a sign of the times, the auction is going green...

bit it will be a while before the red boxes bevome a part of Newlyn history, by which time there will probably be souvenir example gracing everybody's garden...

inshore fish like these sardines came courtesy of the Pelagic Marksman...

along with a few mackerel...

and bass from other inshore boats...

plenty of fish is just what makes these guys smile and be the happy chappies they are...

and what's not to smile about when the day starts like this?

 

Cornwall, the UK's favourite and biggest fish destination

 

Boats landed over £40 million pounds worth of fish into Newlyn in 2023.

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (CIoS) seafood industry is comprehensive, covering all stages of the supply chain, including businesses supplying and involved in primary production, via fishing and aquaculture, processing, whole- sale and distribution, retail, and foodservice via restaurants, cafés and other outlets. 

Across the entire local seafood sector and upstream supply chain, there were around 7,800 jobs in 2021. The seafood sector is around four times more important to CIoS, than seafood is to the UK as a whole. This is true for most key economic indicators, including jobs. 2.9% of jobs in CIoS depend on seafood, compared to around 0.7% of UK jobs. The key driver behind this significant over-representation in seafood locally is the presence of the marine fishing sector, which in turn relies on sustainably-managed fish and shellfish stocks. For every job in the CIoS catching sector, there are 15 more jobs across Cornwall and Isles of Scilly in other seafood sub-sectors. 

Fishing contributes relatively higher added value per worker than other sub-sectors within the overall CIoS seafood industry. There is a mutually beneficial relationship between tourism and seafood in CIoS. Five of the additional 15 jobs located across CIoS in other seafood sub-sectors rely on tourism as well as on seafood.

Read the full report below:

Quota Leasing Scheme

There is anticipated to be excess quota in the non-sector pools. In order to make the best use of this quota and to ensure opportunities are available to as many vessels as possible. Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is taking the following action for English vessels.

 

Details Offer of additional quota to vessels in the non-sector with under 10 metre capped licences and over 10 metre: Category B, C and no-quota annex licences.

The MMO is opening a window for vessels in the non-sector with under 10 metre capped licences and over 10 metre: Category B, C and no-quota annex licences to apply for access to additional quota. We are opening up additional access to a limited number of stocks earlier this year than in previous years to allow vessels to make the most of this opportunity. Vessels with these licences have a limited number of quota stocks for which they can fish. Under this scheme, these vessels can apply for access to more opportunities for the remainder of 2024. At this stage only stocks where the MMO are confident there is excess within the non-sector pools will be released.

The offer means that a small amount of the quota that England receives from the Trade and Cooperation Agreement will be distributed via the MMO to these vessels upon application and depending on availability. It will enable vessels with restricted non-sector licences to fish above their current limits for the leased quota stocks up to and including 31 December 2024.

The stocks covered by this initiative are:

Anglerfish - Area 7 Plaice – North Sea

Cod - North Sea Nephrops – North Sea

Haddock - Areas 7b-k Sole - North Sea

Herring - Areas 4ab Skates & Rays – North Sea

Horse mackerel - North Sea (Areas 4b,4c,7d) Sprats – North Sea

Mackerel - Western Sprats – 7de

Megrim - Area VII Whiting – North Sea

Applications for access to this additional quota should be emailed to: fmc@marinemanagement.org.uk by 08:00 on Monday 22 January 2024.

Applications made after this date may still be considered but quota availability after this date may be reduced. Applications must include vessel details (name, PLN and licence number), a basic fishing plan and quantities of individual stocks required. Where there are competing proposals for stocks the MMO may assess applications against economic, environmental and social criteria.

Modernising EU fishing vessels with digital tools.

The European Council has recently adopted the revision of the EU’s Fisheries Control Regulation, which aims to ensure that EU fisheries control and monitoring systems stay up to date with the latest developments in the technological field and enhance the way we manage fishing activities.

In light of this latest development, Fish-X is hosting a webinar on 26 January 2024 at 10 am CET, diving into the integration of digital tools into small-scale fisheries (SSF) vessels.

Join experts from maritime authorities, the SSF sector, research, and academia as we explore the transformative impact of modern technology on efficiency, sustainability, and resource management.

Don’t miss this chance to be part of reshaping the future of fishing fleets! 

💡 Register now for the Fish-X webinar: https://lnkd.in/eDQ2Ni63

Government to support small-scale fishing industry across the UK in latest medical consultation

The government launches a consultation on medical exemptions for fishers working on vessels 10 metres and under in length.

It is worth noting that "The Secretary of State for Transport is considering providing an exemption under regulation 14 of The Merchant Shipping (Work in Fishing Convention) (Medical Certification) Regulations 2018 so that existing fishers working in fishing vessels of 10 metres and under (registered length as defined by the Fishing Vessels (Codes of Practice) Regulations 2017) in length are exempt from regulations 4 and 5."

Therefore, take advantage of this chance to have your say!

There are 3,385 Under10m vessels in the UK as of January 2024
They make up over 80% of the workforce and many fish singlehanded.

 
Government gives industry a chance to have its say on concessions that would benefit fishers on vessels of 10 metres and under. Safety of fishers is paramount and today will make sure that remains the case while ensuring fishers can continue their important work Government continues to listen to the views from across the fishing industry An industry-wide consultation starts today to see how small-scale fishers can fish as safely as possible.

In November 2023, regulations came into effect requiring fishers working on small UK flagged vessels to have a certificate of medical fitness. The government has worked to support those who can still fish but would otherwise be unduly forced ashore. Some grandfather rights have been extended for eyesight, BMI, diabetes and most recently seasonal fishers.

Unlike larger fishing operations, those who operate vessels of 10 metres and under are usually independent and require more support, which is why today the Department for Transport is seeing how to best deliver medical exemptions safely so hard-working, small-scale fishers aren’t unduly forced ashore.

The potential concession is being considered by the Secretary of State for Transport after listening to the concerns of those in the fishing industry as well as MPs representing coastal communities.

Industry is being urged to have its say on the proposals, which are being published by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The blanket exemption from holding a valid medical certificate would only apply to those who have already been working on vessels of 10 metres and under for at least 4 weeks between 30 November 2022 and 30 November 2023.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

The safety of those who are working in our fishing industry is paramount and it’s vital that any medical requirements work for them. That’s why we have actively listened to views from the fishing industry and MPs representing coastal communities, already granting concessions for factors such as eyesight, diabetes and BMI.

This consultation shows that we are open to proper solutions that uphold the highest standards of safety.

See the MCA’s GOV.UK pages to read and take part in the Medical exemption - existing fishers on vessels of 10 metres or under consultation.

Cornwall is THE seafood centre of the UK

A remarkable new research report proves the importance of Cornwall’s seafood sector Seafood jobs are four times more important to Cornwall’s economy than to the UK’s Cornwall’s seafood sector and contributes £174 million to the county’s total GVA.

For every fisherman at sea there are 15 more jobs in Cornwall 

New figures have revealed Cornwall is home to more seafood restaurants than anywhere else in the country outside of London. According to an independent research report, 16% of Cornwall’s table-service restaurants (not including fish and chip shops) specialise in seafood. That's the highest concentration in the UK outside the capital. The report was commissioned by the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation to determine the true value of seafood to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Overall, the sector contributes £174 million to the county’s total gross value added. Chris Ranford, CEO of the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation, said: 

“The results of this report are outstanding. We always knew the importance of fishing to Cornwall, but this provides the socio-economic evidence to back it up, inform decision-making and attract strategic investment into the industry. “The symbiotic relationship between fishing, hospitality and tourism is completely unique to Cornwall. It’s something we can all be proud of and make sure we’re protecting and enhancing for future generations.” 

Around 8 thousand people in Cornwall work in seafood, according to the report. That means for every Cornish fisherman at sea there are fifteen more jobs on shore – five of those are also linked to tourism. Malcolm Bell, Visit Cornwall, said: 

“Seafood is a key part of the Cornish brand. When you think of Cornwall, you think of the food as much as the destination. “Holidaying in Cornwall and eating Cornish seafood are one and the same so it’s vital we protect the fishing and seafood industry; without them Cornwall’s tourism economy wouldn’t perform as well.” 

Restaurants and cafes rely on Cornish seafood and its provenance, combined with the fishing industry, it establishes Cornwall as the UK hotspot for seafood. Ben Tunnicliffe, Head Chef at The Tolcarne Inn said: 

“Without fishing I wouldn’t have a business. Cornish fish has a lovely reputation around the country and abroad but we’re lucky, being able to use it direct as it comes off the boat and that’s what the visitors coming to Cornwall expect to see.” “Fishing, along with tourism and hospitality, is one of the few industries we have left in Cornwall, and it brings a lot of financial benefits to the county so it’s of paramount importance we work together to strengthen and protect its bright future.” 

The research was commissioned by the CFPO following the publication of their Cornish Fishing Strategy in 2021. Its aim was to refocus the strategic vision for the Cornish seafood industry post Brexit. Four key areas of action were highlighted; science & sustainability, ports infrastructure, recruitment & retention and communications & marketing. It’s expected the findings from the ‘Value of Seafood to Cornwall’ research will better inform regional and national decision-making and help drive strategic investment into Cornwall’s seafood sector.

Milder Monday morning in Newlyn.

Despite the ultra-cool blue skies things have warmed up a little in Newlyn this morning and, although there was only the one big boat trip landed, there were plenty of inshore fish to keep the buyers' fingers busy on their keyboards bidding online when the auction started at 6am...

name the fish...

with the lack of wind and the water like gin, bass landings continue apace...

the Cornishman picked up a few red mullet to add the her trip...

and the crew took the trouble to take out the livers on the bigger fish too...

the fine weather over the weekend giving rise to three good shots from the inshore trawlers...

though young Roger's Dory count on the Martha Mae was on par for this time of year...

while Tom had good pickings of ray with the Guardian...

and this fine looking conger...

head-on monk of all sizes from skipper Jimmy...

to go with the rest of the prime flatfish that beam trawlers do best at catching...

still more inshore bass...

and some specimen red mullet...

along with plentiful supplies of seasonal sardines...

and mackerel...

these boxes tell a story, it seems the times they are a-changing...

as the sun fights its way through a clouded sky.