Busy end to the week in Newlyn.

Another glorious lightshow in Mounts Bay this morning..,.

fully appreciated by Tom watching over the fleet...

good to see the fish market getting an airing at the end of the week's auctions...

Friday morning also saw a visit by key personnel involved in the construction of the harbour's latest building...

with a guided tour of all three floors...

and a chance to talk with members of the build team who were happy to explain every feature of the building which will be home to Seafood Cornwall Training and the MMO...

NPHC Chairman Paul Durkin amonmgst others took to the top level of the scaffolding to enjoy the view across the busy harbour...

Friday also brought up a busy week down the Old Quay...

where a good section of the parapet wall has now been re-pointed with traditional lime mortar..

ready for next week the top section is being cleared of growth...

meanwhile the Red Lion slip has now been given a coat of aggregate before the  granite setts are laid next week...

over the weekend a band of volunteers were bust recycling eaten out by worm timber baulks from the Mary Williams pier...

which involved removal...

of the huge steel screws...

before the wood was planed...

to removal almost perfect timber - these will be used for seating down around the Old Harbour in due course - you can follow the restoration work here on the Old Harbour website.

 

European Small-Scale Fishermen Deliver United Call to EU Commissioner

 

European Small-Scale Fishermen Deliver United Call to EU Commissioner Costas Kadis: “Time is up – Make Fishing Fair Now” Over 40 small-scale fishermen from 16 countries join forces in Brussels to ask for a Plan for Small-Scale Fisheries in Europe by 2026

The Make Fishing Fair Forum brought together small-scale fishermen from across Europe, marking a historic gathering and a striking demonstration of unity among Europe’s small-scale fishing communities.

Representatives from the Baltic, North, Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Seas presented a collective Roadmap to achieve fair fisheries to the EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis, Members of the European Parliament, and key stakeholders. Their message is clear: Europe’s future fisheries must place small-scale, low-impact fishermen at the centre of decision-making — recognising them as key actors of change capable of leading the transition toward fair, sustainable, and resilient seas. This requires urgent and concrete measures by the European Institutions and Member States, grounded in a Plan for Small-Scale Fisheries in Europe by 2026 that recognises the diversity, specific needs and shared responsibilities of both small- and large-scale fisheries.

A Turning Point for European Fisheries

The forum, that brought together fishermen, policymakers, scientists, and NGOs at a pivotal time for EU fisheries, takes place against a critical policy backdrop, a week before the Small-Scale Fisheries Implementation Dialogue organised by the EU Commission, and right after the release of the Vademecum on Friday 14th, an acknowledgment from the Commission that time has come to tackle the unfair allocation of fishing opportunities.

Together, these developments mark decisive moments that will shape the future of European fisheries management.

“Small-scale fishermen are the beating heart of Europe’s coastal communities,” said Gwen Pennarun, President of the Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE). “We are not asking for special treatment — we are asking for fairness. If the EU is serious about protecting our seas and the people who depend on them, it must give small-scale, low-impact fishermen the space and management tools to lead the way.”

For over two decades, small-scale, low-impact fisheries have been recognised internationally and across Europe for their essential contributions to food security, coastal livelihoods, and ocean stewardship. Yet, despite these milestones and recent commitments under the Ocean Pact, policy and financial support remain poorly aligned with their needs, preventing the sector from achieving viable livelihoods and fulfilling its potential to Europe’s ailing seas and food security

Luke Ming Flanagan, Member of the European Parliament from The Left group, added: “If we lose small-scale fishermen, we lose not only jobs but a way of life. Europe’s fisheries policy must finally reward those who protect our seas, not those who exploit them.”

“When listening to small-scale, low impact fisheries, and when looking at the health of our marine waters – there is no doubt: We need urgent action now. The tools are out there – from the Common Fisheries Policy to other environmental legislation – let’s not waste any time any longer and make full use of them.” added Bellinda Bartolucci, Senior Legal Expert at ClientEarth.

Gwen Pennarun (LIFE President), Marta Cavallé (LIFE Executive Secretary), Costas Kadis, EU Commissionner for Fisheries and Oceans, Muireann Kavanagh (16-years old from the Irish organisation IIMRO) 

A Roadmap for Fair and Sustainable Fisheries

Participants presented their asks in the form of a Make Fishing Fair Roadmap calling on European institutions to adopt by 2026 a Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Europe, guided by the FAO Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries and on a differentiated approach to SSF and larger-scale fisheries (LSF).

Signed by 38 small-scale fisher organisations, the roadmap sets out key priorities for a fair and sustainable fisheries sector, including:

• Restore fish stocks using better science and traditional knowledge to rebuild ecosystem health
• Protect SSF from competing impactful blue economy sectors by securing preferential access within the territorial waters, extending out to the 6-mile and 12-nautical mile limit where appropriate
• Apply adaptive co-management systems across all coastal areas
• Ensure fair allocation of fishing opportunities based on social, economic and environmental criteria
• Foster generational renewal by removing barriers and providing incentives, offering training, mentorship and decent livelihoods for young fishermen
• Build resilient communities able to adapt to climate change
• Guarantee fair access to sectoral support and markets
• Achieve Gender Equity in Fisheries

Without adequate policy support and effective implementation, small-scale fisheries — and the economic, social, cultural, and environmental value they bring — will continue to erode, with lasting consequences for Europe’s coasts and future generations.

About the Make Fishing Fair Campaign

The Make Fishing Fair campaign, led by 33 small-scale fishermens organisations and supported by 20 NGOs, advocates for fair access, fair treatment, and inclusive policies for small-scale fishers. Coordinated by the Low Impact Fishers of Europe and Blue Ventures, the campaign aims to address the imbalance between the low-impact, small-scale fishing sector and the high-impact, large-scale fishing sector through a just transition.

Government Warned Over 'Failing' Flagship Post-Brexit Fisheries Law

 

The Government has received a sharp warning that its primary post-Brexit fisheries legislation is "failing" to deliver on its pledges of revitalised fish stocks and thriving coastal communities.

Critics, including MPs, environmentalists, and inshore fishermen, contend that the Fisheries Act 2020, introduced after the UK's departure from the EU’s fisheries policy, continues to permit overfishing and does not adequately distribute fishing quotas to support local communities.

This mounting criticism follows a legal challenge lost by the environmental charity Blue Marine Foundation, where courts ruled that ministers possess broad discretion in quota allocation, effectively undermining efforts to enforce stricter sustainable management.

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Key Concerns from Critics

• Toby Perkins, Labour MP and chairman of the parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), stated: “The 2020 Fisheries Act... is failing to deliver its promise of ‘world class sustainable management of fisheries’.” He noted that more than 50% of fishing opportunities were allocated above scientific advice this year, a pattern seen every year since Brexit.

• Perkins argued that while following scientific advice would lead to a short-term reduction, it would result in a more profitable fishing industry in the medium or long-term. He also highlighted that the Blue Marine case showed the Act's inability to hold ministers accountable for their decisions.

• He called for a required review of the Joint Fisheries Statement to implement sustainable fishing, stop discards, and distribute quota more equitably so that generational family fishers stop losing out to "corporate industrial trawlers."

• Rachel Gilmour, Lib Dem MP for Tiverton and Minehead, agreed, saying there are "many inherent flaws" in the Act which have undermined the positive parts that should have ensured sustainable fishing.

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Dire Situation for Fish Stocks

The criticism comes as many fish stocks around the UK face an increasingly dire situation. Scientists have advised a 77% reduction in mackerel catches and a “zero catch” for several species, including "Northern Shelf" cod (fished from the North Sea, English Channel, and west of Scotland), Celtic Sea cod, haddock, whiting, herring, Irish Sea cod, and North Sea horse mackerel.

• Despite these stark warnings, quotas have repeatedly been set above recommended levels by the UK and EU, as sustainable management is balanced against pressure to provide fishing opportunities for the fleet.

• Charles Clover, co-founder of Blue Marine, remarked: “A child of five could tell you that if you catch too many fish this year you won’t have very many left to catch next year or the year after." He stressed that decisions to overfish have been taken every year since Brexit and ruled lawful under the 2020 Act.

• Martin Yorwarth, an inshore fisherman, described fisheries management as a “farce,” asserting that the industrial UK and European fishing lobby still holds too much control. He warned that the Act's “wiggle room” allows fishing at unsustainable levels and called for the law to be repealed.

Government Response

A Defra spokesperson defended the government's position, stating: “We are working together with industry through Fisheries Management Plans to ensure we fish sustainably, alongside investing £360 million in a new Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund so the sector can thrive for generations to come.”

Solid prices on a busy Monday morning market in Newlyn.

As ther sun rises the scene is all set...

                                                         

for a big start to the week...

starting off with a solid trip of hake from the visiting seiner...

along with a few late-season Joh Dory...

the Ygraine picked up a few hake too...

while the late summer and warner seas than normal seem to have brought in bumper landings of squid and other tentacled beasts...

looks like the St Georges was scraping the old WWII wrecks again judging by the number of conger in the landing..

quality flats and monk stacked high as a man fill the market...

more than enough to keep this man cheerful...

the octopus don't have it all their way so the crabbing fleet still get to put their trips of brown crab ashore...

from boats like the Emma Louise...

that's another big tuna for the auction this morning...

as fish begin to be pulled off to the waiting transport...

Will, the youngest punt fisherman in the port, had the best weekend's bass fishing yet since moving up in the world and investing in Chris Morley's old Rachel & Paul...

good to see these shiny fish back on the auction sheet...

skipper Mario on the big crabber grabs a quick cuppa before landing his two day trip...

stunning tubs from the St Georges...

along with a good shot of octopus which are everywhere now it seems...

not often there's a trigger fish on the market...

time for the crew to move the Michael Edward into a landing position alongside the vivier lorry

always good to see a film crew on the harbour...

boxes of fish appear as if by magic.