Young Fishermen, Famous Seafood Chefs & Fish Merchants unite to shine a spotlight on the UK Fishing Industry

 

The Young Fishermen Network (YFN) is an exciting initiative that has successfully connected tens of young commercial fishermen around the UK together and works significantly towards amplifying the voices of young food producers within our local fishing industry.

May 2025 welcomes YFN REPs from 11 different fishing ports around Cornwall to be the main point of contact for the community surrounding their port, meaning fishing will be actively promoted as a viable career in multiple ports at one given time.

Nathan Outlaw, professional seafood chef and his team are keen supporters of the Young Fishermen Network REPs and hosted YFN at their Fish Kitchen “Our restaurant depends on local fishermen who choose to fish with care and understand the quality of their catch; just a decade ago Port Isaac was home to at least 10 full-time fishing boats but these days, we are down to just 2. The fishermen are part of our community, so supporting them supports the future of the harbour.”

Nathan Outlaw’s team provided us with a talented filleting demonstration which commenced the preparation of our fantastic seafood feast. Young fishermen, joined with chefs and fish merchants chewed over the fishing industry and the value that seafood has to Cornwall as a county; we know that for every 1 fisherman there are 15 more jobs on land.

George Cleave Fish Merchant weaved his expert knowledge into our day with a focused educational discussion on how the young fishermen may care for their catch to improve quality, earning more for their premium produce. George explained what he looks for as a supplier of high-quality seafood and how he has diversified his business to stay competitive in the ever-changing industry.

If you want fishing to be present in your local community, primary or secondary school events, harbour festivals and talks, then please get in touch to meet the young fishermen who produce the seafood on your plates.

Catch us live on @youngfishermennetwork Instagram & youtube pages to follow our fishy lifestyles. Or email matilda.phillips@cornwallrcc.org.uk to book us in!

A promising start to the new and a market full of fish this fine Monday morning in Newyn.

Rain to the west, blue skies to the east, a mixy start to the week this Monday morning in Newlyn...

and there;s an even bigger mix of fosh on the market this morning with the netter...

Stelissa landing abg trip of hake...

and turbot...

alongside the Ajax...

and a handful of Scottish prawn boats like the Moray Endeavour that put their white fish on the market when they landed over the weekend...

along with the Boy Enzo...

monk don't come much bigger then this one...

there's sill plenty of eight-leggers being caught in the south west...

Bay 3 of the market was full of fish from the prawn and beam trawl and net boats..

with a good shot of turbot from the Ocean Pride...

the weather ver thee weekend reduced the fishing opportunities for the handline boats so mackerel were in short supply this morning...

a chance for the sun to stream in on the morning's landings...

it's spider time again...

not that the big crabbing fleet get involved with them...

what a load of new bollards...

right over left and...

Bot Enzo bathed in the morning sunlight...

with some morning most rolling off the land and into the Bay behind the Mount.

 

On Fishermen's Remembrance Day - Ocean with David Attenborough: A Challenge

 
The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) has raised concerns about Our Planet II’s portrayal of the fishing industry, particularly in the context of National Fishing Remembrance Day (11 May).

In their article, “Ocean with David Attenborough: A Challenge”, the NFFO argues that while Sir David Attenborough’s documentaries highlight critical ocean conservation issues, they sometimes present an unbalanced view of commercial fishing, overlooking the efforts of sustainable fisheries and the livelihoods of fishing communities.

Key Points from the NFFO Article:

Conservation vs. Livelihoods – The NFFO acknowledges the importance of marine protection but warns against narratives that vilify fishing without recognizing the industry’s role in food security and coastal economies.

Selective Storytelling – Documentaries like Our Planet II often focus on destructive fishing practices (e.g., bottom trawling) but rarely showcase well-managed, sustainable fisheries that balance ecology and economy.

Fishing Remembrance Day Connection – The NFFO emphasizes that fishermen risk their lives at sea, and on National Fishing Remembrance Day, the industry’s human dimension—safety, sacrifice, and community—should be remembered alongside environmental debates.

Why This Matters for National Fishing Remembrance Day

The day honours fishers who have lost their lives at sea, and the NFFO argues that policy and public perception should support, not undermine, fishing communities.

While marine conservation is vital, the NFFO calls for inclusive dialogue—recognizing fishers as part of the solution, not just the problem.

Conclusion

The NFFO’s critique highlights the tension between environmental advocacy and fishing industry realities. On National Fishing Remembrance Day, it’s a reminder that sustainability must include social and economic justice for those who depend on the sea.

Red the full response from the NFFO below:

The big question is: Will we end up with an exclusive 12 mile limit?

Protesting fishermen heading into Parliament - 1980

The industry has been demanding an exclusive 12 mile limit for well over 45 years - now that we have left the EU surely now is the time it will happen?

The Cornsh Fosh producers Organisation amingst others is lobbying hard.

"With talks between the UK and EU currently taking place regarding the renegotiation of the Brexit Trade Cooperation Agreement, one of the key priorities of the CFPO is to secure exclusive UK access to the 6-12 mile area around our coast."

"The potential benefits to the Cornish fishing industry and coastal communities are huge if exclusive access is secured and quota adjustments made in line with zonal attachment, with a predicted increase in over 1000 jobs at sea and across the seafood supply chain."

"Want to know more about what the 6-12 mile area means to Cornish fishermen, our coastal communities and fish stocks, then listen and watch here: 

SEA SISTER SPOTLIGHT – Emily Theobald, Leading the Way in UK Fisheries

In the male-dominated world of fisheries, Emily Theobald stands out as a driving force for change, sustainability, and industry engagement. As the Principal Marine Officer for the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) in the southwest, Emily’s career has been deeply rooted in the sea — from her early days as a marine biology student to lecturing on fisheries and now working on the frontline with fishers across the region.  

A Career Forged by the Sea

Emily’s journey reflects her passion for marine conservation and fisheries management. After studying marine biology, she transitioned into academia, sharing her knowledge as a fisheries lecturer. But her desire to make a tangible difference led her to hands-on industry roles, where she now plays a pivotal part in net tagging, compliance, and fisher engagement.

One of her most exciting projects? Helping to lead the UK’s first commercial Bluefin Tuna fishery—a groundbreaking development for British fisheries. With stocks of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna recovering, this initiative marks a significant moment for sustainable fishing in UK waters, and Emily is at the heart of ensuring it’s done responsibly.  

Breaking Barriers & Championing Women in Fisheries

Emily acknowledges the challenges of being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field but credits the trailblazers who came before her. “It’s a male-dominated industry, but women before me paved the way" she says, “we’ve still got more to do.”

Her work isn’t just about policy—it’s about building relationships. Whether she’s problem-solving with skippers, advocating for sustainable practices, or ensuring compliance with regulations, Emily’s approach is collaborative and forward-thinking.  

Nominate a Sea Sister!

Emily’s story is part of a growing movement to recognise the vital contributions of women in fisheries. Do you know a woman in the industry who deserves recognition?

The Sea Sister Spotlight campaign is celebrating their work—nominate yourself or someone else using btis form and you’ll receive a branded YETI flask as a thank-you!  

Emily Theobald is proof that passion, expertise, and determination can create real change in fisheries. As the UK’s fishing industry evolves, leaders like her are ensuring it does so sustainably—and inclusively.  

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: