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This Weeks News 24th Jan 2008
Fishing News
With a few days of quieter weather this week most of the boats were able to go
fishing, catches and quality were excellent as usual in the Winter, though the
Mackerel were still elusive at times, most other species should be in good
supply. The potting fleet have been bringing the best of their pots in for the
winter, and moving the rest inside the six mile limit to get clear of the French
Trawlers, with the high cost of replacing lost gear, the risk isn't worth it.
We had severe problems with supplies last Christmas, more demand than expected,
and bad weather throughout November, but we should be ok this year. Lobster
sizes are generally smaller now, and prices are set to rise sharply in the run
up to Christmas, despite the flood of undersized Canadian ones dumped in the UK
and on sale in the Supermarkets. Funny how they can make a big fuss about
Sustainable Fishing, Marine conservation etc. when it suits them, but they have
little conscience about selling fish that would be illegal to catch in the UK.
The subject first came up two years ago, but there hasn't been any change so
far, bit like the "surprised" EU commissioner on TV recently, realising that
quotas were leading to fish dumping, after we've been telling them that for over
twenty years. The information about the Lobsters was on the Internet over two
years ago, a copy of the relevant bits if you are interested below:-
AMERICAN LOBSTER (Species Homarus americanus) minimum size Limit 81mm
In the waters off southwest Nova Scotia, lobsters take seven to eight years to
reach the legal size of 81 mm carapace length (CL). At this size they weigh 0.45
kg (1 lb.) and moult once a year, but in that area lobsters mature between 90
and 100 mm carapace length at an average weight of 0.7 kg (1.5 lb.).
Lobsters are on sale in the UK weighing 0.3 to 0.4Kg
ENGLISH LOBSTER (Species Homarus gammarus) minimum size Limit 87mm
CANADIAN LOBSTERS
Firms in the U.S.A may not sell sub-sized lobsters anywhere in the world, while
third country markets (UK !!) are open to smaller Canadian lobsters. They
concluded that U.S. lobster-boat owners were threatened by low stocks and import
competition from dumping by the subsidized Canadian fleet.
Their response
The united States responded with an import ban on Canadian lobsters.
The Uk's answer:-
Parliamentary questions AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD
Subject shellfish
Question : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what
representations he has had from shellfish fishermen about the import of Canadian
lobster ;
(2) what assessment he has made of whether Canadian lobsters are being dumped on
the united Kingdom market.
Govt Answer : I and my officials have received several representations about the
import of Canadian lobster, including the National Federation of Fishermen's
Organisations and the Shellfish Association of Great Britain.
Although imports of Canadian lobsters has increased, there is no evidence of
dumping. However, my officials have asked the European Commission to look into
the problem, and we shall continue to monitor developments.
Question : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he
is taking to ensure the united Kingdom shellfish industry is not undermined by
Government subsidised competition from other countries.
Govt Answer : I am not aware that the united Kingdom shellfish industry is being
undermined in this way, but if my hon. Friend has specific evidence I will be
happy to investigate further.
One interesting bit of news I heard recently, was that there appears to be a lot
of Pipe Fish turning up in the fish when they are gutted, could be the higher
temperature of the sea this year, still at around 18 Deg C. Happens about once
every 10-11 years as the Gulf Stream swings in our direction, and usually means
a mild winter and may explain the Monsoon season earlier in the year. I expect
the boys to start running into shoals of big Jellyfish
shortly (size of a dustbin lid). I don't envy them, having to dump a ton or more
of them back in the sea every haul, is both hard work and can be painful, but it
is usually followed by a bumper winter fishing.
What is the Gulf Stream?
The Gulf Stream carries warm water from the Caribbean and keeps the UK warm. It
is the equivalent of one million power stations.
Scientists have laid out a string of buoys carrying scientific instruments
across Atlantic from Bahamas to North Africa which will be in the water until
2014.
It will need 10 years of data to see what happens year-on-year to get a real
handle on whether it is slowing down.
However, it is a cautionary tale, especially for those who extrapolate from
scientific results to make more apocalyptic forecasts of the effects of climate
change.
http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/society/environment/gulf+stream+a+cautionary+tale/685152
The UKTVfood channel's Local Food Hero's
campaign appears to be going well, with lots of new entries in their directory
again this year, so finding a source of quality food, either online or in your
area, should be easy now. If you support the move to real food, your local
suppliers are worth supporting for local produce. Voting for the Local Food
Hero's award ended on 21st August, but you can still visit UKTV Food and
checkout our customers reviews , we may be a down here in Cornwall, but with the
Internet and today's courier services, we are your local Fishmonger.
I have been able to spend a little time finding alternate suppliers for some
products, so we now have Tartare Sauce from a Scottish Crofter, and Potted Brown
shrimp from a Southport Shrimp Fisherman (details below), both exceptional
products direct from the suppliers.
 What
are Southport
Potted Shrimps?
Southport Potted Shrimps are brown shelled shrimps preserved in a unique
blend of herbs, spices and a hint of salt and black pepper,
packed in a rich and creamy butter. Ideal,
warmed over a gentle heat and piled, with the
shrimps oozing warm butter onto hot toast.
Southport Potted Shrimps the business was founded in 1980 by James Peet,
a shrimp fisherman for 25 years, whose family have been involved
in the local shrimp industry for over four
generations. James Peet uses locally caught
brown shrimp, where freshness is paramount in
retaining the wholesomeness and flavour of this west coast
delicacy. The secret recipe for his potted shrimps has been
developed and refined over many years so as to
use only natural ingredients, creating a
versatile and tasty speciality product.
So delicious are Southport Potted Shrimps that they won two
awards at the North West Fine Foods annual Producer of the Year Awards in
2001. They beat off competition to win the
seafood category, but so impressed were the
judges that they also overcame close competition to become the
Reserve Championship Winner out of all the products in the
competition.
 At
last! A Tartare
Sauce with the freshness and quality that comes with
being home made and the perfect partner to
good fresh fish.
Roxy has been busy producing her home made Tartare sauce since the
summer of 2003. Using the same recipe used at
home for years, she saw an opportunity to supply
independent retailers with a totally fresh and unique tasting
sauce that is the perfect accompaniment to
many seafood dishes. Only the finest
ingredients are used with no added preservatives!
Now supplying many seafish quality awarded fishmongers throughout
the uk and many other notable retailers, roxy
makes her sauce in small batches - to order.
With an excellent delivery service, fishmongers will be able to sell
'Roxy's tartare sauce' within two days of
production.
Ingredients:- Mayonnaise, Capers, Fresh Red
Onions, Lemon Juice, White Wine Vinegar, Parsley,
Salt Cornish Fishing
and Seafood
 "Immensely
readable, Cornish Fishing and Seafood takes the lid off the myths and
misunderstandings surrounding sea fishing, to discover the real state of fishing
in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly."
Fishing News
"It’s wonderful that a lot of Cornish food, especially fish, is now synonymous
with quality." Rick Stein
"Cornish Fishing and Seafood supplies us with the true story of the Cornish
fishing industry and why we must love and cherish it."
Gordon Ramsay
The
Duchy Fish
Quota Company
can now
take your orders for Christmas online, which is the best option if you don't
have a need for an order from us for now, should definitely be on everyone's Christmas list.
All profits go to supporting the Cornish
Fishing Industry and it's fishermen.
That is all for this week, our Price list always shows our current price, and what fish should be
available as usual, but it is of enormous help to us, with scheduling our buying and
cooking of shellfish, if you order early so we can give you the very best
possible fish.
Go Direct to our shop
Not Sure what to
order ?
Let us decide for you, or select your preferences !!
Our Fresh Fish Starter box gives you the easy option. If you are
used to the Supermarket dictating your portions it can be a little daunting
ordering Fish, especially if you have never seen a Fishmonger's before. We can
fill your box with a variety of fish, with the option of having it Whole
(gutted/cleaned), Normal preparation or all Filleted. Normal preparation means
some will be filleted, steaked or whole trimmed ready to cook.
The fish you get will depend on availability and price, but you will get AT
LEAST £60 worth of fish. Attached to the box will be an itemized
invoice/receipt so you will know exactly what you have paid for, and should help
with your buying decisions the next time you order. Boxes
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