Welcome to Through the Gaps, the UK fishing industry's most comprehensive information and image resource. Newlyn is England's largest fish market and where over 50 species are regularly landed from handline, trawl, net, ring net and pot vessels including #MSC Certified #Hake, #Cornish Sardine, handlined bass, pollack and mackerel. Art work, graphics and digital fishing industry images available from stock or on commission.
Monday, 16 September 2024
Sunny Sunday, misty Monday.
Saturday, 14 September 2024
'Anglers' get caught in the act in two separate but no doubt connected arrests off the north Cornish coast in one day.
In a previous life, the Lily Lola was an angling boat |
A significant amount of cocaine was intercepted off the coast of Cornwall on Friday. Four men have been charged in connection with the seizure, which is believed to have been a major blow to an organised crime group. The drugs were found aboard the ex-angling boat, Lily Lola which was stopped off Newquay by NCA officers.
Later that day, three men were arrested after they ran their rib ashore on Gwynver beach near Lands End...
in an attempt to smuggle at least 240kg of cocaine ashore...
the rib was filmed in the act being pursued at speed by the NCA and then abandoned as the smugglers jumped from the rib and began running across the beach to escape - anyone who knows the beach in question would know that running up that hill at Gwynver to escape just isn't going to happen!..
on Saturday, the resident Newlyn harbour work boat, Danmark was tasked with retrieving the smuggler's rib...
which had been left stranded on the sandy beach...
the rib was successfully towed back round Lands End to Newlyn...
with a ton or more of sand on board...
the 6.7m Brig rib is powered by a 200hp Suzuki outboard - not quite enough hp it seems to outrun those guys at the NCA! One of these new would set you back over £70,000.
Skilled Worker Visa changes for the catching sector.
Skilled Worker Visa changes – impact on the seafood sector In December 2023, the then Prime Minister and Home Secretary announced plans to reduce net migration and resolve abuses of the UK immigration system.
The plan introduced proposed amendments to the operation of the Skilled Worker Visa (SWV) process. Last year Seafish published a series of SWV guides to provide a full overview of the legalities around the employment of migrant workers.
The plans announced at the end of 2023 will see changes made to the information previously provided.
These changes include:
- The minimum salary for recruiting a skilled worker from overseas on a SWV would increase from £26,200 to £38,700.
- The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) which allowed some job roles to be paid at a 20% reduction on the SWV rate, would be abolished in spring 2024. A new Immigration Salary Discount List (ISDL) will replace the SOL.
- The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), an independent public body, was tasked with reviewing the roles that should be included on the ISDL and two fishing occupations were kept on the new ISDL list. This lowers the minimum salary threshold for these occupations to £30,960 for new SWV visa applicants, a discount of 20% on the new SKW rate.
- The minimum income threshold for a family visa, that is the amount a person must be earning before they can bring a family member or partner from abroad, increased from £18,700 to the £38,700 in line with the minimum SWV salary.
Previously, in October 2023, the UK Government had announced that the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) would also increase by 66% to £1,024 per annum which took effect on 6th February 2024. This directly increased the cost of the visa application process.
Collectively these changes will impact the businesses across the UK seafood supply chain.
In response to this change, Seafish has completed an Economic Impact Assessment using its existing fleet and processing data sets to assess the impact that the proposed increase to the Skilled Worker Visa (SWV) salary threshold could have on the UK seafood sector.
This analysis is underpinned by direct industry feedback collected by Seafish during late December 2023.
The seafood sector is heavily reliant on non-UK labour across both catching and processing sectors.
Any changes to the cost and complexity of accessing non-UK labour will have an impact on operating costs, and on business profitability and viability.
There will also be knock-on impacts to consumer prices, to the competitiveness of our export trade, and to businesses that support the seafood sector.
The impact assessment explores the impact upon the fleet, the processing sector, and collates evidence collected from the sectors. The assessment also considers potential amendments to the visa mechanisms. Finally, it provides models of the impact.
Image shows front covers of three Skilled Worker Visa guides
Seafish has completed an Economic Impact Assessment in response to changes relating to the Skilled Worker Visa process.
Key findings - catching sector
The fishing fleets most likely to be impacted by these changes, because a) they are reliant on non-UK labour and b) current average crew pay is below the proposed salary thresholds, are:
- The Nephrops fleet over 12m where currently 82% of vessels rely on non-UK crew and the average salary is £19,222.
- The demersal/beam trawl fleet over 12m where 52% of vessels rely on non-UK crew and the average salary is £34,266.
- The static gear fleet (e.g. crab potters) over 12m where 75% of vessels rely on non-UK crew and the average salary is £28,297.
The fleet most adversely affected by the policy change is the Nephrops fleet which could experience annual operating losses of between £41.5k and £83.5k per vessel, on average. Unless these losses are offset by increased prices, the changes could lead to vessel tie-ups and business closures, with a knock-on impact on scampi supply in the UK.
An assessment of the impact of the change on Nephrops prices indicates that to meet the revised salary of £38,700, the:
- Price paid per kg by processors/wholesalers to vessel operators would need to increase by 33%.
- Price that processors would charge retailers would need to increase by 14.5%.
- Price that processors would charge food service sector buyers would need to increase by 15.6%.
Enquiries on the SWV guidance process
Seafish has already published guides specifically tailored to seafood businesses, whether you are a fishing vessel, aquaculture business or a processing company, regardless of where you are based across the UK.
Sections of these guides are currently being edited to reflect the most recent changes but remain available on the Seafish website.
There are five guides and collectively these will help you to navigate the process to become a sponsor under the Skilled Worker Visa, to employ non-UK workers, and to meet your obligations as a sponsor and as an employer.
The guides to support you with the Skilled Worker Visa application process and to become a sponsor are available via the following link:
Employing workers from outside the UK
If you have any queries regarding the Skilled Worker Visa, or to request a copy of the Economic Impact Assessment, you can email SkilledWorkerVisa@seafish.co.uk.
Friday, 13 September 2024
Sardines a-plenty being landed in Newlyn - fire up those BBQs!
Thursday, 12 September 2024
Sennen captured on canvas
Wednesday, 11 September 2024
"And now for the Shipping Forecast" a contemporary portrait of fishing.
In 2022, renowned portrait artist Morgan Penn envisioned a modern-day tribute to Britain's hardworking fishermen. He shared his concept sketch on social media, inviting the community to join him on this artistic journey.
Gathering a crew of eight fishermen to pose for the portrait was a daunting task. Luckily, the fishing community stepped in, and Through the Gaps offered their expertise to bring Morgan's vision to life.
During the 2022 Christmas lay-up period, a group of Newlyn fishermen gathered aboard the beam trawler, Enterprise, to participate in the project and bring the artist's concept to life.
Camera in hand and under Morgan's watchful eye and the curious gaze of onlookers, the fishermen took on their assigned poses, creating a scene that captured the essence of their profession.
The resulting photographs served as reference points for his studio work. Tragically, one of the fishermen featured in the portrait passed away before its completion. The artwork now stands as a lasting tribute to his life and his connection to the sea.
Prawn trawling: 8am, hauling on the Smalls. |
An intriguing detail emerged during the project: Penn's original concept sketch bore a striking resemblance to a photograph taken aboard the Keriolet trawler in the 1980s. Incorporating elements from the old photo added a layer of authenticity to the final painting.
Learn more about the creative process behind the portrait by scrolling through the accompanying booklet below. The finished artwork is on display at the Royal Society of Marine Artists' annual exhibition at the Mall Gallery, London, from September 19th to 28th.
Penn's "The Shipping Forecast" depicts eight fishermen hard at work on a trawler. Each crew member was asked to contribute a personal item to the painting, adding a unique touch to the artwork. One such item, a tiny panda, holds a special significance. It was given to one of the fishermen on the day of his birth by his mother's best friend and was sometimes packed in his sea-bag, even on trips to Rockall.
The oil-on-linen painting, measuring 120cm square, showcases the intricate details of the fishermen's work on deck and the personal items that connect them to the sea. By examining the artwork closely, viewers can discover the hidden stories and symbolism woven into the scene.
Morgan Penn's studio portrait work can be seen here.
All the works in this year's The Royal Society of British Marine Artists exhibition can be viewed here.
The Royal Society of British Marine Artists web site can be seen here.