Despite the scariness, there's no scarcity of fish for Halloween!

Any moment now the heavens may open, though the netting fleet and the rest of the beam trawl fleet are all at sea...

filling Friday's market, plenty of hake from the Silver Dawn...

Stelissa...

and Kerry Marie...

while the trawler Crystal Sea had good fishing on squid...

and quality fish like these brill...

some inshore boats ,anaged to tough it out and land some late season shellfish...

including this old timer from the last century...

fish galore...

the bigger boats kept of supplies of the staple diet the port like lemon sole...

John Dory...

and monk tails...

the Ygraine  pulled in some more exotic fish like these two kinds of bream, Couch's and black...

a few bonito tuna...

and more hake...

plus a few scad...

and, ominously, more dogs...

luxury monk livers form the beam trawler...

and the now, ever-present octopus frpm down on the Lizard...

meanwhile, back along the promenade at Wherry Town, if you had wondered what kept the team of runners pulling one of the legendary 1890s gun carriages from John O'Groats on their way to Lands End...

look no further, Pusser's Rum has kept the Navy running in good spirits for centuries and still does it seems...

a misty start to the morning for the gun crew just before they set off on the last ten miles of their epic Military vs Cancer Gun-Pull journey from John O'Groats! All donations welcome!

Blessed be the Barnabas

The word was out, the recently appointed Bishop Of Truro, the Right Reverend David Williams was headed to Newlyn and an appointment with the Cornwall Maritime Trust's lugger Barnabas...

at the appointed hour, and much relief for all concerned, the weather had abated...

though there was some suggestion of divine intervention...

and in good time for the Bishop, guided by Barnabas skipper Dave Need...

to bless the boat...

and say a few words of admiration for the... 

skills, knowledge, perseverance and creativity of all those involved, past and present, in the long tradition of building, sailing and preserving the lugger tradition...

three cheers for the Barnabas!..

after which it was time head back up the historic slip...

to the new home and comfort of the Cornwall Maritime Trust...

for celebratory tea and cakes.

 

Get your GMDSS certificate course at SCT!

 

Looking ahead to the new year, SCT have the GMDSS Restricted operators certificate on the 13-15 January. This 3 day course is the commercial seafarers version of the VHF course and is suitable for Workboat up to 24m, Fishing Vessel over 12.5m, Cargo Ship over 300 gt or Passenger Ship operating within Sea area A1.

If you would like to book onto this course please contact SCT on 

01736 364 324 or email

info@seafoodcornwalltraining.co.uk

Latest news from Newlyn Harbour

 

View across the harbour towards Sandy Cove and the proposed area for development beyond the South Pier

A strategic step towards the long-term development of Sandy Cove and a planned programme of specific infrastructure projects to further enhance Newlyn Harbour for the future fishing industry are the headlines from recent meetings of the Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners (NP&HC).

The Harbour Commissioners have signed a Letter of Intent with Tower Group, the purpose of which is to progress their planned Sandy Cove development project to a point at which significant funds can be leveraged to enable it to be realised. Tower Group not only supports net zero projects by delivering the infrastructure required for the energy transition, such as offshore wind turbines, renewable energy storage solutions and the innovative use of green hydrogen and low-carbon fuels, but also unlocks the required level of investment to bring such projects to life.

Model image based on Sandy Cove concept plan

“With well-established roots in the South West and a thorough understanding of the economic challenges and opportunities for Newlyn and for Cornwall, Tower Group is uniquely placed to drive forward the Harbour Commissioners’ ambitious plans for Sandy Cove,” said Newlyn Harbour Master & CEO, Jonathan Poynter.

“This Letter of Intent is a prelude to forming a Joint Venture or Special Purpose Vehicle to develop the Sandy Cove project so that we can expand the Harbour for the future fishing industry, provide more space for larger, modern fishing boats as well as storage on an industrial scale, and then diversify and improve the Port for a broader range of operations.”

 “With the Tower Group team’s expertise in securing investment, developing real estate and strategic, long-term thinking, alongside the company’s network of contacts in the defence and renewables sectors, we are delighted to partner with Newlyn Harbour for this process of renewal,” added CEO of Tower Group, Alex King. “We were impressed by the Harbour Commissioners’ bold ideas when their plans for Sandy Cove were presented at the UKREiiF conference – a forum that unlocks investment and drives regeneration across the UK to accelerate economic growth – and we are now in lockstep to deliver this for Newlyn, for Cornwall and for the UK’s strategic energy ambitions.”

This partnership will also allow NP&HC to focus on its planned programme of specific infrastructure projects to improve the Newlyn Estate for existing harbour users. These plans include modernising the existing private water supply, enhancing fuelling capabilities, increasing pedestrian safety and improving maintenance facilities for the inshore fleet during the next two to three years.

The new home for Seafood Cornwall Training is on schedule for completion early next year.

The construction of the Newlyn Marine Skills & Resource Centre on The Strand continues apace and is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2026. The building is out of the ground and almost weather-tight, with stonework almost completed on the first floor. Following a competitive tender process, Seafood Cornwall Training has been awarded the contract to provide training at this much-needed centre of excellence for developing maritime expertise in Cornwall.

“Seafood Cornwall Training offers a huge range of qualifications and courses for new fishermen as well as experienced seafarers, and delivers training to hundreds of commercial crew and employees in the maritime industry, from mandatory safety to professional development,” said Training Manager, Clare Leverton. “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to do so in this dedicated new facility at the heart of Newlyn and are already planning to receive the first cohort of students next year.”

 The Old Quay Restoration Project

Following the news that Historic England has awarded the Newlyn Old Harbour restoration project a grant of £109,000 from the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, the challenge of repairing and re-setting the stonework at the Grade II* listed medieval harbour has begun.

The re-stapling of capping stones and the re-positioning of quoins on the edge of the Old Quay has already been carried out and the next phase of work is currently out to tender, which involves the laying of new stone mainly on the Red Lion slip. West Cornwall Granite from St Just have won the contract to cut and provide the stone needed. Work re-pointing the Old Quay parapet using lime mortar in line with Historic England’s guidance will begin soon.

Main harbour work

“The Harbour Commissioners are also preparing schemes for future grant funding for two medium-term capital projects to extend capacity at Newlyn Harbour through the substantial modification of the existing pontoon facility and the addition of further pontoons elsewhere in the Harbour, providing improved berthing and level access, and perhaps, some dredging,” added NP&HC Chairman, Paul Durkin.

The Harbour Master and CEO has represented Newlyn at the British Ports Association Conference on the banks of the River Humber and the BPA’s Fishing Ports Group meeting in Fraserburgh in Scotland this month.

“Participation in such events is critical to maintaining the profile of NP&HC amongst our peers and regulators,” said Jonathan Poynter. “Both occasions provided useful insight and understanding of the issues affecting the wider ports industry, as well as meaningful connections with individuals who represent the industry at regional and national levels, and the agencies and ministries we interact with.”

With the Mediterranean octopus bloom continuing and plenty of Bluefin tuna still being landed at Newlyn Fish Market to amplify the usual catch of superlative Cornish fish, though the sardine season has taken a downturn of late and landings since the beginning of October have fallen dramatically.

NP&HC Board meetings take place on the first Friday of alternate months. For further information about Newlyn Harbour, please visit newlynharbour.com

Notes to Editors About Tower Group

Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund - Urgent Question discussed in the Lords

Monday saw the Lords debate an Urgent Question on the subjwct of the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund - it is reproduced here as it appears in Hanard.

Commons Urgent Question

The following Answer to an Urgent Question was given in the House of Commons on Thursday 23 October.

“We are working closely with our fishing and seafood sectors to ensure that they are vibrant, profitable and sustainable, and that we have a healthy and productive marine environment. That is why, on 19 May, the Government announced the fishing and coastal growth fund, a £360 million investment that will support the next generation of fishers and breathe new life into our coastal communities. Through the fund, we have recognised the vital contribution that fishing and coastal communities make to our economy, local communities and national heritage.

Designing the fund with stakeholders is paramount to its success, and we want to work with industry and communities to get their views on how to maximise value and target investment for maximum local impact. That engagement is just beginning. We will consider investment in new tech and equipment to modernise the fleets; in training and skills to back the next generation; and in promoting and supporting the seafood sector, so that it can export across the world.

Since the fund was announced, a wide range of stakeholders have called on the Government to learn from previous fisheries funding schemes and to devolve the funding, instead of the funding being at UK level. That is why, on 20 October, the Government, in a reaffirmation of our commitment to devolution, confirmed that the fishing and coastal growth fund would be devolved, and that devolved Governments would have full discretion over how to allocate funding. That approach enables each devolved Government to design and deliver support in response to the specific needs of their fishing and coastal communities. That will ensure that investment is targeted towards regional needs and national views, and that it best supports coastal towns and villages. It ensures that decisions are taken closer to the communities that the devolved Governments serve, so the sector can thrive for generations to come.

Although the Government respect the devolution settlement, I would like to encourage collaboration across all Governments to maximise the fund’s impact, as each Government will have their own insights into how the funding can be used, and will learn lessons over the fund’s lifetime”.

Lord Roborough (Con)

My Lords, this Government’s deal with the EU allows Europe to retain around 40% of the fishing rights in our exclusive economic zone and territorial waters for a further 12 years. This undermines the substantial expansion of the private tax-paying fishing sector that should have been possible. The fishing and coastal growth fund from taxpayers’ money’ is poor compensation and unfairly distributed, particularly as regards Scotland. Can the Minister explain how this can be in tune with the Government’s pro-growth agenda?

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Baroness Hayman of Ullock) (Lab) 

The funding is being allocated using the Barnett formula, which is the normal mechanism used by HM Treasury to determine funding for the devolved Governments. That is the mechanism used and, while allocations are not directly linked to the size of each nation’s fishing industry—the noble Lord mentioned the Scottish fishing industry—devolved Governments have full flexibility to target this funding to best meet the needs of their coastal and fishing communities, so there is an opportunity. This is extra funding on top of other funding that has been granted, so it is providing a support to coastal and fishing communities.

Baroness Grender (LD)

Does the Minister agree that the botched Brexit deal that the Conservatives negotiated has done great damage to our coastal and fishing communities? Fish exporters have been wrapped up in red tape and penalised with extra costs for trading with our closest neighbours. To better support our communities, what steps are the Government taking to address the delays and implement the UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary agreement as soon as possible?

Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)

The noble Baroness mentioned the Brexit deal agreed by the previous Government, which provides de facto guarantees for EU boats to UK waters beyond 2026. What we have done is to secure a deal with the EU that ensures returns for our fishing community, including scrapping red tape and restoring shellfish exports to the UK. This demonstrates that we are absolutely committed to the long-term prosperity and sustainability of our fishing industry. On the SPS agreement, I am sure the noble Baroness knows that negotiations are due to start shortly. I cannot give any further details until we move further down the line, but we absolutely want a really good deal for our country.

Lord Krebs (CB)

My Lords, I am sure the Minister would agree that there is no point investing in our fishing industry if there are no fish to catch. The sad truth is that, according to Oceana UK’s latest report, Deep Decline, over half of the UK fish stocks are being overfished, particularly the top 10 species. What plans do the Government have to ensure that fishing quotas are set on a sustainable basis, so that the stocks can recover and provide our fishermen with livelihoods not just today but in the future?

Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)

The noble Lord is absolutely right: overfishing has been a real problem and we absolutely need to ensure that it does not happen in the future and that the fishing quotas that are agreed are sustainable. In fact, they are, in theory, sustainable at the moment, but we need to get the best data we can in order to make the best decisions in the future. Clearly, we hope that working with the EU more closely will enable this.

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con)

My Lords, before Britain left the European Union, the inshore fishermen, the under-10 fishermen, were promised an increased quota of cod and other fish—before the waters warmed up and they went elsewhere. Under the coastal fund, will there be anything for the inshore fishermen, who are now the largest number of fishermen in English waters?

Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)

The noble Baroness is absolutely right to refer to inshore fishermen, who are a really important part of our industry. Regarding detail, we are negotiating with stakeholders. We are looking to work very closely with all the different groups that are interested or have an impact with this growth fund. Clearly, they will be an important group as part of our discussions.

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)

My Lords, it has occurred to me that the noble Baroness might not have seen the Oceana report, Deep Decline. It is absolutely excellent, if a bit depressing, but it gives some very good recommendations, so perhaps I could make sure that she gets a copy.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)

I would be absolutely delighted to receive a copy from the noble Baroness.

Lord Inglewood (CB)

My Lords, for a number of years, when I was a Member of the European Parliament, there were considerable complaints about the illegal landing of black fish. Are the Government satisfied that material quantities of illegally caught black fish are not landed in this country?

Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)

The kinds of issues that the noble Lord refers to are ones that the Fishing Minister is obviously aware of and will monitor, because we absolutely do not want to see illegal fish landed. It is really important.

Lord Bilimoria (CB)

My Lords, given that 80% of fish caught in our waters are exported, I ask, as the chair of the International Chamber of Commerce in the UK, what priority are the Government giving to exports in general? We hear about the economy and growth, but what about exports, including our fishing exports?

Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)

Exports, whether that is of fish or in other parts of our food industry, are a really important part of how we can continue to grow the economy in this country and support both our farmers and our fishermen. Exports dropped fairly significantly after Brexit, so one of the things we want to achieve with the SPS agreement is better export conditions to increase opportunities for both our farmers and our fishers.

Lord Hannay of Chiswick (CB)

My Lords, does the Minister agree that this exchange of questions demonstrates a certain absence of knowledge about how much damage was done by the terms in which Brexit was embedded, which has resulted, as she says, in a sharp drop in our exports? Would the Government find it useful to put into the public domain a little bit more of the factual basis for the sort of questions we have had this afternoon in the House?

Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)

Clearly, one reason we want to do the EU reset and get an SPS agreement and a better working relationship with the EU is to ensure that we have the best economic growth we can possibly get in this country. However, it is also important that we can work efficiently and effectively with our closest trading partner. The noble Lord has made some very good points about the kind of information that should be available, and I hope that the EU reset will start to reset some of the difficulties that he is referring to.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Con)

I must say that I find this conversation surprising. The Government seem to have given 12 years of fishing away in a negotiation without getting any very clear benefits in exchange. Our fishing has been an enormous issue right across the country, so I am slightly surprised by the tone of this conversation. Can the noble Baroness, whose views I always respect, help me on this matter?

Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)

I do not see that this Government have “given away”. As I said earlier, we have secured additional funding, in addition to the spending settlement that the UK Government provide to each devolved Government, to provide more support for the fishing industry. I do not remember that the agreements made by the previous Government following Brexit were particularly welcomed by the fishing industry. As part of the reset, we are trying to improve our working relationship with the EU in order to continue to support our farmers, our fishers and our businesses more broadly.

Despite the weather, there was plenty of fish on the market in Newlyn this morning!

Work and pleasure go together, Richard's two loves nestling side-by-side on the pontoons...

while the sardine fleet are tied up - catches from the fleet across the board are down around 90% in October...

master-craftsmen at work, mind yer fingers Pete!..

the Canners Slip has been very busy of late, it plays a key role in providing a convenient place for the smaller boats like the punt Rachel & Paul to come out of the water for work below the waterline...

and Saturday was no exception...

the harbour are looking to improve the facilities there by  providing water and electricity on tap along with a drying out area that will allow the boats to work below the waterline without having to heel the boat over on successive tides...

these granite quoins have seen some action over the years...

 

as have the gaps as the fleet gets back to sea on Saturday morning, out with the Govenek of Ladram...

St Georges...

and the Louisa N...

wind the clock forward to Monday morning (after not having forgotten to wind the clock back on Sunday) and there is plenty of fish on the market including this 148kg bluefin tuna landed by Ben aboard the Beryl M...

buried under ice, plenty more beam trawl fish...

ray wings...

and brill...

with plenty of plaice...

and the first shot of sardines for some time courtesy of the Inter-Nos...

as ever, plenty of Dovers...

and seemingly still no sign of the octopus landings dropping off, this from one of the crabbers...

shiny, shiny lobsters under hemp...

a myriad of black bream...

that's a solid weekend's work from young Will...

with a better run than for some time...

and a bonus shot of jigged squid to go with the mackerel...

outside the market Stevensons shore staff including head auctioneer Ian are busy landing the Billy Rowney while...

astern, are the boys from the Rowse family firm landing their newest crabber, Michael Edward...

all under the panoramic vista of some slightly damp looking skies!