The scene was set for Day 1 the first Cornish Sardine Festival in Newlyn!

Early morning saw the open-air restaurant and bar...

'twixt Argo and the lifeboat house were ready...

the sails set...

several local artists intent on capturing the scene...

tables at the ready...

today's sardine boats and old sailing luggers all in a row...

Spike doing his bit with the refreshments...

restaurant Argoe loading up the charcoal burners...

display banners...

all set for display...

Argoe's chef Angus Powell serving up staff with their sardine dishes for the day...

Newlyn Harbour Lights stalwart Pete Bell keeping things cool...

and it's smiles all round taking me taking. you...

there's the latest in summer eyewear with these virtually indestructible shades made from recycled fishing nets and carbon fibre from Fishy Filaments......

and a full range of gorgeous canned fish products from Chris Ranger... 

along with some superb sardine festival merch - must-have items for sure...

and a banging raffle with a brilliant first prize- a trip to sea!..

a whole host of refreshments...

and yet another sardine re-stocking for the BBQ...

to satisfy the hungry festival-goers...

enjoying those sizzling smells...

with yet more of the action captured on canvas...

in perfect weather...

the guys were on hand on some of the boats like the Lyonesse which had provided the sardines just hours before...

joined by, Grant Leeworthy, a legend of the Australian fishing community in Victoria who had made the long journey to do some fact-finding about the Cornish sardine fishery...

what more could you ask for on a sunny Cornish Bank Holiday weekend?!

nothing but the freshest of sardines...

though for some it was just time to chill!

NFFO data gathering to respond to MPA Gear Ban

On 9 June 2025, DEFRA and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) launched a 12-week online consultation proposing new byelaws to prohibit bottom-trawling and, in some cases, static gears (like traps and nets) in an additional 30,000 km² of English waters. This would expand total bottom-trawling restrictions to about 48,000 km². The proposed byelaws are tailored to each Marine Protected Area’s (MPA) specific habitat sensitivities (e.g., sandbanks, gravel beds, muds) and species protection needs.

According to the MMO’s Stage 3 De Minimis Assessment (June 2025) approximately 1,303 UK fishing vessels are expected to be directly impacted by these gear restrictions. The eight ports facing the highest estimated revenue losses are spread across different counties, with around 50% of the total losses concentrated in the South West of England.

The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO), representing England’s fishing industry, is preparing a formal response to the UK Government’s consultation on new fishing restrictions proposed for 42 MPAs in English waters.

Key to this is determining what is caught within the affected MPAs, where these catches go post-landing, and how vessel owners and fishermen perceive the proposed changes and their expected effects. This input is essential for establishing the “true impact” of the policy changes on fishing communities, seafood markets, and related livelihoods.

The NFFO is requesting affected vessel owners to complete a questionnaire based on fishing activity in MPAs between July 2023 and June 2025. The form should not take more than 20 minutes if you fish in one MPA, be completed as accurately and thoroughly as possible, including details such as species, catch weight, and fishing gear used.

The quality and volume of responses will strengthen the NFFO’s evidence-based case to government. Individual responses will remain confidential within the NFFO’s consultancy team, with only anonymous, aggregated data published.

This is your chance to have your say! If you are impacted by this policy proposal then please fill in a questionnaire and share with others who may also be affected.

There is an option to fill the form in digitally, please follow the links below. If you wish for a hard copy of the survey please contact the NFFO.

Your help information will help us put together the strongest argument, backed by evidence to the Government as to the true impact of the proposals.

Western Channel and South West 

Eastern Channel 

North Sea 

Irish Sea 

Big fish and big winds on Monday morning in Newlyn.

It might say Beryl on the bag but this big bluefin tuna was landed by the sardine boat, Lyonesse caught while fishing in Mounts Bay...

Monday's market, despite the fresh breeze over the last few days saw plenty of fish up for auction with a good mix of all those species fr which Newlyn is renowned, like these black bream...

red mullet...

BBQ fish like the smoothound, a type of shark...

and, of course, the usual mix of quality flatfish...

though this year's most unwelcome guest, the Mediterranean octopus still shows little sign of disappearing from the landing sheet - the consequences of this year's invasion by a species whose preferred diet is lobster, crab, crawfish and any other fish with a shell will not likley ake themselves known until next year when the inshore potting and scallop boats head out...

that's one big bass...

John Dory, always a great favourite of fish restaurant chefs...

there's still much to learn from the current bluefin tuna fishery - and taking samples of stomach contents will help identify their preferred diet - though anecdotal evidence form the guys would suggest that if its big enough to swallow, bluefin will eat anything they can catch...

unusually dark-skinned lesser spotted dogfish, a sign they were caught well close to the shore on hard ground...

the gulls they are a-wheeling...

in the near gale of sou'easterly wind this morning...

another day begins at the Resource Centre build...

getting your 40ft trailer going astern down the New Quay is never easy...

one of he ports newest crabbers...

like many other boats now rely on foreign crews - hopefully, the new Resource Centre willbe home to Seafood Cornwall Training and provide youngster from the Uk to take up a career in fishing insead...

let's hope the Penlee Lifeboat stays on port in tis weather...

and doersn't have to go to the aid of one of these guys who hasn't checked the forecast...

the sardine fleet at rest - all hands looking forward to the small celebration taking place this coming weekend at the Cornish Sardine Festival here in Newlyn...

even in their first year there's not much to like about the look of a greater black-back gull...

Admirals' and ex-Admirals of the fleet in port...

the heavy lifting team have arrived...

meanwhile the boys on the Crystal Sea are now on their second day...

of mending thanks to a discarded cable...

and to get the job done and all you need, according to the old saying, is a sharp knife and a plan...

meanwhile, the second big bluefin tuna is ready for loading...

into the back of the waiting transport.

Unprecedented alliance launches major study into octopus bloom

A rare bloom of common octopus (Octopus vulgaris), first reported by South West fishermen earlier this year, has sparked an extraordinary collaboration between Plymouth City Council, Devon County Council, and DEFRA to investigate its causes and consequences.

Recognising the urgency and potential impact on the fishing industry and marine ecosystem, Plymouth City Council Leader Cllr Tudor Evans OBE reached out to neighbouring authorities and Fisheries Minister Daniel Zeichner MP to commission a study. Devon County Council quickly joined the effort, and DEFRA extended the scope to include wider scientific research and data collection.

Dr Bryce Stewart of the Marine Biological Association (MBA) is leading the project, supported by scientists from Plymouth University and Plymouth Marine Laboratory.

Cllr Tudor Evans OBE, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “Almost overnight, our local potters saw their usual crab and lobster catches replaced by octopus and the remains of what they hadn’t eaten. It was a dramatic shift. While historic data shows that octopus blooms have occurred before, none have happened in living memory, which is why we felt it was essential to act quickly - gathering real-time data and first-hand accounts from fishermen across the South West. We’re incredibly grateful to Devon County Council for partnering with us, and to Minister Zeichner for recognising the urgency of the situation. DEFRA’s support has been vital in helping us launch this important research.”

Devon County Council Leader, Councillor Julian Brazil, added: “On a personal level, living near Salcombe and Dartmouth, this is having a direct effect on the fishing community in my area and across the whole of Devon. We're pleased to be supporting this project which is important for our environment and economy. Climate change is warming our seas and oceans and we're now seeing the additional challenges that's bringing with it, so it’s vital that we gain a better understanding of how this is impacting local marine life and the knock-on effect on our local fishing industry.”

Former fisherman and scientist Dr Simon Thomas will lead engagement with fishermen, gathering insights from quaysides across the southwest to understand the origins of the bloom, its potential recurrence, and its impact on other marine stocks and livelihoods.

Dr Simon Thomas said: “The vast knowledge of the fishermen is central to understanding what has happened with the octopus bloom. They have been out there, observing the bloom evolve and move in real time. My job is to listen to the fishermen and piece together their ideas and information, combine with historical and environmental data, to try and understand why these octopus are here in such large numbers and if this will be an isolated event or will this happen more often.”

The broader DEFRA-commissioned study led by Dr Stewart will use advanced techniques like baited remote underwater videos (BRUVs) and time-lapse cameras on crab and lobster pots to monitor octopus behaviour and develop a potential early warning system for future blooms.

Dr Bryce Stewart said: “We are hugely grateful to Plymouth City Council for leading the call for this research, and to them, Devon County Council and Defra for providing financial support for the project. Through our work we aim to better understand why the bloom occurred, how it has affected the fishing industry, and how to be better prepared if such a bloom happens again. With climate change rapidly warming our waters, unusual biological events such as this are only likely to become more common in the future.”

Local fisherman Brian Tapper said: “It’s great to see this study get underway and we’re looking forward to working with Dr Thomas and sharing our knowledge and information. It’s a tough time for small scale fishermen, the octopus bloom, and its impacts to crab, lobster and scallop stocks needs to be well understood. I’ve never seen a science project start so quickly and use local expertise, this is clearly down to Plymouth City Council leading the charge and I hope we see more of these types of projects locally led, engaging with fishermen to fill other knowledge and stock gaps in the future.”

Beshlie Pool of South Devon and Channel Fishermen Association said: “We are incredibly grateful to the leaders of Devon County Council and Plymouth City Council for agreeing to fund this piece of work alongside DEFRA. To have their support in trying to understand the implications of the current octopus bloom on our futures is invaluable to us. We are keen to share what we know with Dr. Simon Thomas and are excited to learn more as things progress.”

Mat Mander, from Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (D&S IFCA), said: "We welcome the engagement and research that is being conducted by Plymouth University, Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the Marine Biological Association. It is also encouraging that two of our Devon Councils and Defra recognised the value of this type of work and were able to provide financial support. It is vital that scientists, fishers and regulators work together to gather as much data as we can. This will hopefully improve our understanding.

Cornish Fishing Industry Welcomes Government Commitment to Work Together on Future of Fishing

Newlyn, Cornwall – Last week, the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation (CFPO) hosted Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed and Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner for high-level talks on the future of the industry. Accompanied by senior Defra officials, the Marine Management Organisation, and the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, the ministers took part in a ‘net to plate’ tour of Newlyn fish market and harbour, showcasing the diversity of the Cornish fleet and fisheries. This was followed by a detailed briefing on marine planning challenges and seafood’s economic value to Cornwall, culminating in a roundtable meeting with CFPO members. Throughout the tour, the Secretary of State and Minister met with the Cornish fishing and seafood businesses to hear first-hand how developing government policies and international agreements are affecting fishing livelihoods in Cornwall. Both Ministers committed to returning to Cornwall in 12 months to review progress on the issues discussed.   Paul Trebilcock, Chairman of the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation, said: "It’s positive to see both ministers recognise the challenges we face in terms of where we can fish and what we can land, both of which face the threat of catastrophic erosion if ENGOs and wealthy film makers have their way. Both SoS and Minister clearly committed to working with fishermen, not just talking at us. Their return visit next year is a real sign of intent — and we will hold them to their word."

Pressure on Fishing Grounds Highlighted A focused session led by the CFPO and NFFO presented a detailed map of the Celtic Sea and Western Channel, illustrating Crown Estate areas designated for floating offshore wind development, proposed MPAs restricting bottom-towed fishing, netting and potting, alongside existing cable routes and shipping lanes. It was the first time the Secretary of State had seen such a comprehensive view of all current and planned uses of marine space. He acknowledged the challenges this presented for the fishing industry and how best to achieve a balanced approach to marine planning that supports both environmental goals and sustainable fishing. Fisheries Minister Daniel Zeichner said:    “Visiting Newlyn again with the Environment Secretary, and hearing directly from fishermen, has been incredibly valuable in understanding the opportunities and challenges facing our fishing communities. The visit reinforces why we must continue to work in genuine partnership with the industry to promote British fish, manage spatial pressures and ensure we fish sustainably so the sector can thrive for generations to come.     “The new £360 million Fisheries and Coastal Growth Fund represents a real opportunity for communities to secure investment, as part of the government’s Plan for Change, and I encourage fishermen to engage with us as we develop the fund.”   Commitment to Partnership & Science and Evidence Based Decisions During the round table with the CFPO members, Ministers emphasised their commitment to working in partnership with the industry and recognised the fishing sector’s vital role in shaping marine management. Both reaffirmed that future decisions on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and broader fisheries management will be based on science and evidence, not assumptions. Celebrating Cornish Seafood and its role in the new Government food strategy The visit also included a dinner and breakfast at local restaurants, where the ministers sampled a diverse range of locally caught species, showcasing the quality and variety of Cornish seafood. Sampling fresh sardines, octopus, scallops, spider crab, hake and monkfish certainly celebrates the unique links between seafood, tourism, hospitality that make Cornwall the number one seafood destination in the UK. During the CFPO members roundtable, Ministers stressed seafood’s essential role in national food security, reflecting commitments in the government’s new food strategy that finally recognises fishermen and seafoods role in providing healthy and nutritious protein.   Funding & Strategy Backed The Ministers highlighted the new £360 million UK-wide fund for fisheries and coastal community growth and supported the Cornish Fishing Strategy as well-prepared and “investment ready.”    Chris Ranford, CEO of the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation, said: “It was a very welcomed and timely visit given all challenges and opportunities for the Cornish fishing and seafood sector at present. The passion and knowledge of the Cornish fishing industry is second to none and it was clear how much this was appreciated by the Secretary of State and Minister. We welcome their commitment to working with us on improving science and evidence to make future decisions, as well as supporting the key pillars and overall vision of the Cornish fishing strategy. We look forward to them turning words into action.”