Fine May #FishyFriday in Newlyn.

Barely a breath of wind to start the day...

which makes time spent at sea for the punt men...

that much more pleasurable...

meanwhile, the market has plenty of fish up for auction with a real mix from...

net caught fish like these hake from the Ocean Pride...

along with the mix that gill nets also tend to attract...

the Chaffin picked up a good shot of blondes...

while pollack keep coming for almost every kind of fishing method...

the big flag boat happened on a few JDs...

while the Silver Dawn made a start to the tangle net season with these big turbot...

the sun it doth shine...

bass man Cod was at his favourite sport yesterday...

signs that the spider season has kicked off...

despite the fairly chilly airflow still prevailing in the Western Approaches...

though the market already seems to be struggling to maintain a good price for these delicious crustaceans...

at the end of the quay yet more crustaceans are coming ashore in the form of nephrops from the Revival, one of the regular visiting Scottish prawn boats that work from Newlyn at this time of year...

it's official, the Spirited Lady has a new livery and a new owner...

it's yellow-welly time again...

the sardine fleet are laid up for the next few weeks until the season starts in mid-July...

for the sake of a minor intrusion to a minor access road in Newlyn, the signage seems to have gone totally over the top these days, who has time or the desire to take all this in?!..

progress update on the Resource Centre...

the port's biggest sardine boat is up on the slip...

the new and innovative multi-purpose Tor Boreas at anchor was in silhouette this morning

end-of-life for gill nets, off to be recycled...

with more practicing creative people per square mile than anywhere in the UK it is Open Studios time starting on the 24th May.

 

Tenth meeting of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries on 14 May 2025 – agenda

Summary of the agenda for the fisheries meeting: The upcoming meeting is structured to address critical aspects of fisheries management, with a significant emphasis on control and enforcement, as well as scientific coordination. It aims to review existing control measures, including monitoring, control, and surveillance systems, which are fundamental to ensuring compliance and sustainable fishing practices. Attention is also given to the development and adoption of common guidelines for remote electronic monitoring (REM) systems, an advanced tool for supervising fishing activities remotely. Another key topic is the enhancement of data sharing mechanisms, particularly through initiatives like UN/FLUX, to facilitate transparent and efficient information exchange between nations. The agenda signifies a commitment to strengthening cooperation, ensuring legally compliant practices, and adopting technological innovations to support sustainable fisheries management.

Main species and regions being focused on for fishery management: The management efforts are specifically directed toward several commercially valuable species and regions, including:

Species:

• Sole in area 7hjk and plaice in area 7fg: These are targeted with specific roadmaps, indicating structured plans to manage harvests and conservation efforts.
• Lemon sole, rockall cod, blue ling, seabass, pollack, skates and rays, spurdog, and horse mackerel: Each of these species is under review, with some receiving particular attention such as advice requests from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) or specific management tools like catch allocation systems.

Regions:

• Celtic Sea, Channel, and Rockall: These regional areas are focal points for implementing management strategies, species-specific measures, and technical regulations. For example, multi-year strategies for channel king scallops signal long-term planning efforts.
• The use of area codes like 7hjk and 7fg reflects specific fishing zones, suggesting tailored measures for these zones based on stock status, employment, or ecological concerns.

This detailed focus reflects an effort to adapt management measures to regional and species-specific contexts, aiming for sustainable exploitation and conservation.

Based on the agenda, the meeting will focus on key management and enforcement topics that could affect future fishing practices. The emphasis on control and enforcement, data sharing, and scientific coordination suggests a move towards more integrated, transparent, and sustainable fisheries management.

Implications for fishing in the future regarding the EU could include:

• Increased collaboration and data exchange under frameworks like UN/FLUX, which may lead to more unified and transparent operations
• Adoption of new control measures, such as remote electronic monitoring systems, potentially improving compliance and surveillance
• Adjustments to fishing opportunities based on scientific advice, which could influence catch limits and access rights

Overall, these measures aim to promote sustainable fisheries and stronger cooperation between the UK and EU, possibly resulting in more coordinated management and stricter enforcement in the future.

You can download the agenda here:

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2nd National Fishing Memorial Day, Sunday 11th May, 2025

A message from the folks at the Mission.

Following the appreciation of last years service, we are holding the 2nd annual Fishermen’s Memorial Service Statue to mark The National Fishing Remembrance Day on Newlyn Green, Newlyn. If the weather is inclement the service will be held at St Peter’s Church, The Coombe, Newlyn. The Fishermen’s Mission is organising this and many other services in fishing ports across the UK that day. You are all most welcome to join us.

We will reflect on the impact of those lives lost at sea from Newlyn and others around the Cornish coast. We will remember by name those who have been lost, but not forgotten – those who brought fish to our tables. There will be a wreath laid, any families or friend are also most welcome bring to a wreath or flowers to lay down. The service will be led by Eddie Fletcher (Port Officer for Cornwall, based in Newlyn, and the Revd. Derath Durkin, Deputy Chair of the Fishermen’s Mission, who is resident here in Newlyn.

Waiting for the Boats  - Walter Langley

The National Fishing Remembrance Day Service will give the opportunity to commemorate the lives lost at sea and pay tribute to their valuable service, and give thanks for those fishermen who still fish in our waters to bring fish to our tables. Fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the UK in peacetime. The bravery of fishermen and the hard labour they endure should not go unrecognised. The people of St Peter’s church will provide teas and coffees in St Peter’s Church after the service for those who would like to join us there, follow the crowd!

Bank holiday weekend over - plenty of fish again in Newlyn!

Yet another Bank Holiday weekend at sea for the boys on the hake netter Ygraine as they land their fish to the market, one angling boat astern...

beam trawl, seine and trawl fish filled the market...

with John Dory...

and well over 20 species in just this bay alone...

at this time of year many of the beam trawlers target megrim sole...

and other quality fish...

the Trevessa IV even got in on the langoustine act...

while the Scottish prawn boats land their prawns direct to the processors and put their white fish on the market for auction...

the big fly-seiner made another landing of quality fish including these hake...

and these bite-size squid...

while some of the inshore boats have been reaping the rewards of deploying cuttlefish traps...

and mackerel of course...

blue skies but still a little on the chilly side out of the sun!

 

First #FishyFriday in May.

 Annie, May the second...

with netters not landed it was down to trawlers like the Boy Enzo...

and Crystal Sea to put some hake ashore...

a fine looking ling...

it's Dory time, nearly...

even the prawn boats got in on the Dover scene...

and now these big octopus are showing signs of increasing in abundance...

the handliners have been busy on the bass...

there's new boots going down the quay...

looks like the concrete piles have been completed to start the groundwork for the new Resource Centre...

an unusual sight at this time of year, four coasters at anchor waiting for orders...

the creation of a new seafront along Newlyn Green following the damage caused by the severe stroms that passed through in the winters of 2013/14 changed the appearance of the beach in many different ways.

 

Poll finds strong support for UK control of fishing waters ahead of EU talks

 

A poll has found strong support among the Scottish public for the UK control over its fishing waters, ahead of a trade summit with the EU in May. Fishing is expected to be one of the key topics at the talks with the bloc on May 19. 

The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) says fleets in the UK are not seeing enough in return for EU vessels accessing British waters. The industry organisation argues that EU vessels catch up to £500 million worth of fish annually in UK waters, compared with £75 million caught by UK vessels in EU waters. Opinion Matters surveyed 1,010 adults in Scotland in early April this year. Some 87% said they agreed “the UK should control who fishes in UK waters”, and 83% said any multi-year deal for access to UK waters should be paid for with something of benefit to Scottish fleets. Meanwhile, 86% said any new arrangement with the UK and EU should put the Scottish fishing industry first.

Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: “These results send a strong signal to negotiators in Westminster and Brussels. “The Scottish public are crystal clear – our fishing industry must not be sold short again. “During the last negotiations, access to our waters was given away too freely and we saw precious little in return. That cannot happen again. “This poll confirms that Scots understand the value of fishing to our economy, our coastal communities and our national food security – and they expect their governments to stand up for those interests.” The SFF says the industry suffered particularly during the Brexit transition.

Full story courtesy of Aberdeen Live.