These mizzly Monday mornings don't get any better!

At least a small consolation is the lack of wind...

as ever, the market is chocker with quality fish, so smiles all round for all the lucky fish-fans out there, John Dory...

crawfish...

and plenty of hake...

there's even some scad to try, a tasty oily fish that doesn't often show up on fishmonger's counters...

more JDs...

there's no question what these are...

pristine turbot...

more hake...

and a good selection of ray, a fish that's great to introduce to the timorous eaters or kids as there are no bones to speak of...

all we need now is the sunshine to go with these new season sardines...

megrims, staple diet for the trawl fleet...

more JDs...

I can see Tom's face now when the cod-end appeared full of these guys...

scallops are landed in bags by the dozen...

more than tasty in a stew...

the mighty mackerel...

another fine fish grilled whole...

big squid, rare as hen's teeth these days with the big mesh sizes that trawlers now work...

brill, a must try if you like fleshy white flatfish...

the en passage yachts this year seem on average bigger than usual...

a beast of a fishing machine, Mollie May...

dredging beast, Lantic Bay...

a bevy of visiting inshore trawlers.

 

Six fish market auctions in Brittany harmonised.

 

The heart of the fishing industry in Brittany has taken a significant step forward with the recent completion of the modernisation of the region's fish auctions. Thanks to an ambitious project by the CCI Finistère, all outdated systems have been replaced by Aucxis with state-of-the-art technology.

 

The six fish auctions in Brittany (Audierne, Concarneau, Douarnenez, Le Guilvinec, Loctudy, and Saint-Guénolé), managed by the CCI Finistère, have undergone a significant modernisation. The upgrade to the advanced KOSMOS platform from Aucxis represents a revolutionary step forward for the fish auctions, now equipped with an ultra-modern and efficient sales infrastructure.

Point of departure and objectives

Modernising the fish auctions was crucial as the existing infrastructure no longer met contemporary standards. Centralised sales were not possible, various software technologies and equipment were outdated, and the operating systems were no longer capable of ensuring reliable and secure use. With the goal of replacing outdated hardware and software, the CCI Finistère issued a tender. Aucxis won the contract by offering a comprehensive solution, including the KOSMOS platform.

The modernisation project encompassed three pillars: reliability, modernisation, and virtualisation. This required replacing old systems with modern web technologies and creating a centralised database to enable sales across multiple locations.

The challenges of standardisation

Six different auctions, each with its own working methods, needed to switch to a new, standardised system so that each buyer could make purchases in the same way at every auction. This included introducing a uniform clock speed and implementing the ascending clock sale principle across all sites.

Continuity

During the roll-out, the link between the old and new systems had to be maintained as much as possible to ensure the continuity of sales. The work was carried out early in the morning or in the evening to avoid disrupting sales.



Multi-project execution

The modernisation involved multiple projects at the six sites, carried out by different suppliers during the same period. Aucxis not only implemented the KOSMOS platform but also provided a lot of new equipment, such as stainless-steel supply terminals, LED panels for local clock displays, cameras, workstations, tablets, and Wi-Fi infrastructure. Other suppliers carried out construction work, installed new conveyor belts, etc.

External pressure

During the project’s execution, several challenging periods arose, characterized by pressure on the fishing sector, including the impact of Brexit, the energy crisis, and evolving European fisheries legislation.

 "It goes without saying that the planning was very complex. We are therefore very proud to report that, thanks to the close collaboration between Aucxis and the CCI Finistère, the centralised sale of all supply was successfully completed in March 2024. We explicitly want to thank the CCI Finistère team for their unwavering dedication and professionalism."

Steff Lyssens STEFF LYSSENS, ACCOUNT MANAGER

 

Comprehensive solution

In addition to the KOSMOS sales and information platform, a lot of new equipment was delivered to support the sales process, seamlessly integrated with the KOSMOS software:

25 mobile or fixed weighing terminals

1 specially designed terminal, type “wholesaler”

8 industrial LED panels (2m by 2m)

4 cameras

20 all-in desktop PCs

Industrial tablets

Wi-Fi antennas and controllers


The result

Thanks to the implementation of the KOSMOS platform and the integration of a lot of new equipment, the Breton auctions now boast an advanced auction infrastructure in which CCI Finistère’s objectives have been realised: a reliable auction system, a modernised sales process, uniform operation of the auctions, and the ability to sell the supply from the six auctions from any location.

Moreover, user convenience for buyers has significantly improved. Buyers can now purchase on multiple clocks simultaneously, both at the auction itself and remotely via desktop PCs, tablets, or smartphones. They can customise their screen layouts and create shortcuts to simplify the purchasing process. The platform also offers easy access to sales data and statistics, benefiting both buyers and suppliers.

The fully web-based KOSMOS platform provides a secure and future-proof sales infrastructure, guaranteed by the evolution contract.

Setting up a sales network for the six fish auctions of Brittany was a large and ambitious project, requiring a well-thought-out strategy for the complex transition. Discover in detail the many challenges, the integrated systems, the project progress, and the achieved result.

Miserable mizzly #FishyFriday morning saved by oodles of fine fish!

Going to be a wet, mizzly day for the anglers today...

meanwhile on the market there is a good mix of fish like these big inshore trawl ray wings...

plenty of turbot...

spurdogs are everywhere still...

as are monk...

megrims...

and more ray...

catching what the beam trawlers catch best...

a few quality inshore bass...

big JDs...

and plenty of crab bait...

the netter Stelissa also popped a few boxes of hake ashore...

years ao at this time of year the market would have been inundated with long-lined ling...

good to see a few sardines on the market from the Lyonesse...

and the Pelagic Marksman...

yes, there are some big octopus about...

another angling boat ready for the off...

in amongst a full house of big yachts, many of them French...

keep up the good work guys!

 

Mizzly Monday morning in Newyn.

Despite the presence of the Scottish prawn boat, Claire Marie, July seems to be following June with regard to the unseasonal weather being inflicted...

but that doesn't mean that the market is any less well supplied with superb fish from boats like visiting Claire Marie with a big shot of haddock from the Smalls...

more haddock and wjiting from the Acciona...

top turbot trip from the Ocean Pride...

and more quality seine net fsh like these hake...

and red mullet...

to go with the Dovers...

oily fish landings of sardine came from the Inter-Nos...

a trio of boats between trips...

and away out in the Bay in the mist, one of three coasters at anchor awaiting orders.