Muggy, misty, mizzly Monday

Making her way in from the gloomy Bay...

the port's top trawler, Crystal Sea II heads in #throughthegaps ...

and makes for the quay to a waiting lorry...

more good rays from the Tegen Mor...

and 100 boxes of brand new hake fro the Ajax...

plenty of mackerel round the corner in St Ives Bay...

while the reds are increasing in numbers as the water warms...

so to are the red spots on the plaice...

just the one beam trawler Twilight III...

landing some quality cod too...

the main bass man was at it again last night...
   

a tad overcast this morning...

but there is more bad weather to come with Force 9 winds forecast overnight and tomorrow, very unseasonal...

it was raft race yesterday, missed it!

This week's five day weather forecast for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF): Investing in a sustainable future

The Council of Agriculture and Fisheries has backed new criteria for fisheries fund allocations. The new system will support compliance with the reformed Common Fisheries Policy and in particular with the objective of increased sustainability. EMFF will be used to co-finance projects alongside national funding streams. The European Commission has welcomed the general approach agreed on July 15, 2013, by the Council on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) running from 2014-2020.

Discussions with the European Parliament will take place in the autumn in view of an agreement on the funding instrument by the end of the year. This is crucial for the fund to run in parallel with the implementation of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) as of January 2014. The general approach agreed by Council, the first chaired by the Lithuanian presidency, highlights the investment priorities for projects underpinning the CFP. It continues the progress made under the previous funding programme - the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) - and strengthens support for the sustainable development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

Under the current EFF, the allocation distributed to Member States followed a cohesion approach: it took into account the Gross Domestic Product of each Member States privileging those countries with a lower GDP.

For the new EMFF, whose aim is to accompany the implementation of the CFP Reform rather than to support regional development, the Commission has proposed to base the allocation of resources on a sectorial approach.

This will be based on a criteria including employment and production in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, as well as the share of small scale coastal fishing in the fishing fleet.

These new criteria will promote a level playing field among fishermen from all Member States and ensure proportional shares of the EMFF are attributed to both the fisheries and aquaculture sectors of each Member State

Each Member States will be allocated a share of the total budget, before drawing up an operational programme, specifying how it intends to spend the money allocated. Once the Commission approves this programme, it is up to the national authorities to decide which projects will be funded. The national authorities and the Commission will be jointly responsible for the implementation of the programmes.

The current proposal would strengthen investment in intensifying and improving data collection, to the tune of an extra 50% compared to the figure for 2007-13, in order to create a wider knowledge base and allow European policy makers to make decisions on the basis of robust evidence.

The EMFF will also increase its investment into control programmes to 482m EUR which is again over a 50% increase compared to the previous fund. 

The Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki, particularly highlighted the increased investment into small scale fisheries as a source for future growth and an example of the impact which the fund will have: "Small scale fisheries are crucial to the sustainable future and success of the industry. They hold the greatest potential for innovation and are most in need of support to adapt which is why I am delighted that the

Fishing and finance - can you help?

Guys, can you help Emma?

"I'm currently working on a paper about the finances of fishing. In the time I've been studying the UK fishing industry, I've been shocked by the huge outlays of money fishers have to make just to do their job. This includes large sums spent on vessels (purchase and upkeep), licences, gear and fuel.

The topic of my PhD is the strengths and weaknesses of the UK quota management system, and in this paper I am concerned about the extent to which government management makes fishing even more expensive, and even more risky, for those in the industry.

This is because under quota management, not only do fishers have to make the huge investments listed above, they now also have to invest significant sums in buying or leasing quota (quota is the 'right' to fish). This is another substantial outlay for fishers, and makes fishing an even more expensive business.

On top of this, the changes in quota every year mean fishers have no idea how much fish they will be allowed to catch in the future, so potential returns are unstable.

This instability is a particular concern if (like most people investing large amounts in a business or home) fishers have had to rely on bank loans or mortgages to buy vessels, gear, licences or quota.

As money is a very personal subject, I'm trying a new research method. I'm asking people to share their opinions or experiences anonymously through email, at my university address: emma.cardwell@ouce.ox.ac.uk. I've also turned on comments for this post, so you can comment directly here if that is easier. The comments will not be published (unless you want them to be - let me know within the comment if that is the case, and they will be published).

I'd love to hear about: 

• how you feel about buying/leasing quota
• 
  
• if you worry about huge drops in quota year-on-year, and what this might mean for paying your mortgage
• 
  
• costs for young people entering the industry
• 
  
• have you been forced to use a smaller crew by the rise in fishing costs?
• 
  
• What does this mean for health and safety?
• 
  
• has the recent government quota reallocation made your position more insecure (over 10) or improved it (under 10)?
• 
  
• Differences in government support in Scotland, England, Shetland, etc
• 
  
• Do you know anyone who has been forced out of fishing by huge costs, or had their boat/licence/quota repossessed by the bank?
• 
  
• How do you think the government could better react to these financial pressures?

So, if you are a fisherman, or know any fishers, and have experience with, a story about, or an opinion on the financing of fishing, please get in touch! I'm very grateful for all contributions."

Email me at emma.cardwell@ouce.ox.ac.uk

Fantastically fishy Friday!

Ahoy there!...

what are those red spots...

maybe nobody will notice me here...

Newlyn moon walker...

the Incredible Hulk...

bidding wars...

another fine morning contrary to the forecast...

with many of the punts at sea... 

or ready to go...
 

or heading into the rising sun...

the odd gull makes it out #throughthegaps ...

as another makers her way out to sea...

they don't make them like this any more...

it seems...
 

later in the day, a few of the bigger boats...

 like the Trevessa IV are bound out through the gaps...

before the Border Force boat Searcher makes her way in...

and against the Stone Quay...

along with this timeless classic... 

already in berth...

followed by Our Grace due to head for Brittany tomorrow, hope it doesn't blow too hard down off Ushant tomorrow Mr Nelligan... 

third generation of fisherman, Grandson's first time fishing and his first catch...

closely watched at home waiting to prep for the BBQ...

before the thunderstorm starts!!

Post Office consultation goes to the public

THE POST Office has launched a consultation to discuss plans to move Newlyn’s branch to a nearby pub.

The Cornishman reported last month that subpostmaster Darell Sedgwick was keen to upgrade his operation after spotting the Dolphin Inn was up for sale, and put in a bid for the property to try to begin the transition.

Now the central office has officially proposed the idea, citing a larger facility and increased opening hours would benefit the community.

A company statement said: “It is important that they [Mr Sedgwick and his team] make the very best use of resources to ensure future sustainability.

“The subpostmaster at Newlyn has identified an opportunity to move this branch into newly refurbished premises, which will help safeguard the viability of the business.”

As the process is ongoing, the Post Office has called for members of the public to comment on the intended move for a six-week period.

The company will welcome feedback up until September, and said that it will take any thoughts into account before making a final decision.

Field change advisor at the Post Office, Colin Pound, said he feels the new site would be good for the town.

“We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in the area and we are confident that this proposed new location will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future,” he said.

If successful, Mr Sedgwick said he hopes to see his new location open for business later this year.

The consultation will close on Thursday 19 September 19.

To submit a comment: FREEPOST PO Consultation to Post Office Ltd; email consultation@postoffice.co.uk; or phone 08457 22 33 44

Courtesy of the Cornishman.

#raftrace #fun Newlyn Raft Race is a coming!!!

Be there!!