Newlyn Market Report Overview

It's been a varied week for the auction in Newlyn, with the fleet supplying a total volume of approximately 53 tonnes so far. The standout narrative for the week was the continued prevalence of Mediterranean Octopus, which appeared in significant quantities across almost every auction.

The Enterprise will top off the landings this week on Friday's market.

Breakdown of the landings and prices for the week:

📅 Monday: A Strong Start

One seiner, one netter, and one beamer combined to supply the Monday auction with a solid volume of 24.1t.

Key Landings: The floor was dominated by Mediterranean Octopus (8t) and Hake (5t). There were also notable landings of Megrim Sole (1.7t) and MSC Hake (1.3t).

Prices: Buyers paid top prices for quality, with N2 Red Mullet reaching £26.69/kg and Bluefin Tuna selling at £19.08/kg.

📅 Tuesday: Beamers & Trawlers

A total volume of 13.3t was displayed for Tuesday’s auction, landed by one beamer and one stern trawler.

Key Landings: Megrim Sole took the top spot with 2.2t, closely followed by Mediterranean Octopus (1.7t) and Cuttlefish (1.6t).

Market Sentiment: Good prices were achieved for most species auctioned throughout the morning.

📅 Wednesday: Inshore Fleet Activity

The mid-week auction saw a volume of 10.4t, provided by one beamer and the inshore fleet.

Key Landings: Mediterranean Octopus returned to the top of the volume list with 3.2t, alongside 1.8t of Megrim Sole and 1.1t of Monkfish.

Prices of note included N3 Dover Sole at £25.52/kg and Mackerel at £10.51/kg.

📅 Thursday: High Demand for Inshore fish

Thursday’s auction was supplied exclusively by the inshore fleet with a total of 5.1t.

Key Landings: Mediterranean Octopus accounted for more than half the daily volume at 2.7t.

Market Sentiment: Prices and demand remained reported as good for all species auctioned.

Summary: With over 50 tonnes landed in four days, the market remains active despite the variable weather. The consistent presence of Mediterranean Octopus continues to be a major feature of the current landings.

The big landing for Friday's market will be from the Enterprise with over 200 boxes of prime fish.

First Women in Fisheries F-REP Brings Together Women from Across the UK Fishing & Seafood Sector

 

Last week, 50 women working across the UK fishing and seafood sector came together in London for the latest F-REP event – a first-of-its-kind Women in Fisheries F-REP (WIF-REP), delivered by Fishing into the Future (FITF) in partnership with UK Women in Fisheries (UK WIF).

The three-day residential programme created space for women in roles ranging from vessel owners, crew and partners to processors, researchers, traders and educators to build knowledge, confidence and networks. Designed by a steering committee of women from across the industry, the event aimed to strengthen participation in fisheries science, management and co-management.

Speaking about the significance of the programme, FITF Executive Director Emma Plotnek said: “Lasting change in fisheries comes through working together. Despite the important roles women play across the sector, we often see fewer women participating in collaborative or decision-making spaces. WIF-REP was designed to help address this by building mutual understanding and connections.”

Stephanie Lucas, Network Coordinator for UK Women in Fisheries, added: “Diverse participation strengthens fisheries management. When women’s voices are supported and included, the discussions become more representative and the solutions more robust. This event demonstrated the value of creating time and space for women across the industry to learn from each other.”

Across the three days, participants took part in sessions covering fisheries science, co-management, representation, communications and the role of social science in decision-making. Practical and interactive elements, including hands-on stock assessment exercises, a simulated management planning activity and an early-morning visit to Billingsgate Market, gave attendees the opportunity to explore real-world challenges and share lived experiences.

Ashley Mullinger, Digital Comms Officer at UK Women in Fisheries and independent fisherman said: “The F-REP events do a wonderful job of connecting individuals from a diverse range of sectors and gives them the tools, confidence and contacts to engage in co-management through well-curated educational sessions from industry-leading experts. The WIF-REP was about taking this approach, and at the same time recognising the multiple roles women play right across the sector and the specific needs of that group.”

The programme also offered informal opportunities to connect, including an Industry-Science Mixer which brought together researchers and industry members for short, focused conversations about ongoing projects and opportunities for collaboration.

Participants described leaving the event feeling “more confident”, “better informed”, “encouraged to speak up” and “part of a wider community of women working across fisheries”. Many highlighted the value of having an event like this targeted at women working in the fishing industry, giving the opportunity for open discussion, shared experience and new professional relationships.

Highlighting the value of connection, Nicola Webster, Norfolk Fishermen’s Network expressed that: “If you’re unsure an F-REP is for you, and that’s putting you off applying, apply! Making connections with others in the industry as well as hearing from ‘the other side’ could be invaluable and reignite your fire!”

As the cohort returns to their roles across the seafood sector, FITF and UK WIF emphasise that broadening participation in fisheries management relies on opportunity, confidence and access to knowledge. Fishing into the Futures’ F-REPs are designed to support all three and will contribute to strengthening collaboration and representation across the sector in the years ahead.

FITF and UK WIF thank all attendees for their contributions to the programme, as well as The Fishmongers’ Company and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation for supporting the event.

Serene Dawn lands 14 tons of Cornish sardines.

Good to see the sardine fleet finding fish in the Bay again after a challenging October month when landings were almost non-existent! Here, the Serene Dawn lands a full trip of fish caught...

just off the Long Rock after a fruitless overnight's search as far east as Porthleven.

Miserable Monday morning in Newlyn.

Monday morning in Newlyn.

It's a dark, damp start to the week...

and a big mending job in the offing for the Trevessa IV crew......

auctioneer Ian has a market full of fish to clear...

tub gurnards don't come much bigger than these beauties from the St Georges...

gone are the days when cod were a thing, these days most landings seldom have more than one or two boxes...

it seems octopus are just as happy with scad for bait...

just what every netter doesn't need, a guts full of dogs...

there's still bluefin tuna quota left for a handful of boats...

octopus a-plenty, a sign of climate change or just a shift in the marine environemnt, either way, there are still tons of them being landed...

black bream in a green box...

big bass from the bass-meister himself...

and some cracking Cadgwith reds...

there's a few cuttles to be had too...

landings of hake have been quiet of late...

with fish from the Britannia V and the seiner, Acionna

it's just a drop of rain...

just what you don't need when it's time to land...

and today's poor weather sees many of the fleet tied up in the harbour...

plenty of pots on the way...

there's an Admiral is in town...

sister-ship hulls, but one's a netter, one a crabber...

the Rowse fleet at rest...

late night landing of sardines...

with some of the fleet still hauling at first light...

surrounded by omni-present gulls...

or heading home...

to land...

Michael Edward, the latest crabber to join the fleet.

 

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.