MODERN TRAWLERS A PART OF SPAINS GRAND SOLE FLEET THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BENEFIT FROM NEWLYNS PRIME POSITION AS A FISH LANDING PORT TO THE MUTUAL BENEFIT OF ALL INVOLVED.
How can the regeneration of a place that ought never to have been allowed to degenerate to the degree it has in the first place turn out to resemble an operation to insert melted butter into a porcupines backside with the assistance of a red hot knitting needle? Thats how it seems in relation to www. newlyn.org and its ongoing attempts to progress the saga of Newlyns regeneration against the odds.
The (presumed) best, combined brains of the former Penwith Council, Cornwall County Council, Department for Transport and the South West of England Regional Development Agency have through newlyn.org and NFIF, over many years and much abortive effort, singularly failed to fully resolve the Newlyn conundrum.
Their only partially successful efforts to regenerate the harbour have proceeded at a snails pace, plagued by interminable delays and indecision by the Port Administration which has effectively ensured that a significant proportion of available funding has been wasted on abortive consultancies or other blind alleys.
Indeed it appears highly likely that officialdom has, hitherto, been incapable of getting its head around the intransigence and treachery of the reactionary entrenched mindset being dealt with, which, with instinctive feral cunning, has always appeared to be one step ahead of them at all times.
Anarchic Newlyn has continued to be maladministered with apparent impunity by a collection of inherently imcompetent individuals seemingly immune to sanction or any semblece of meaningful accountability with regard to their frequently perverse actions, invariably at total odds with newlyn.orgs/NFIF’s best efforts.
Without demonstrably competent inspirational leadership actively nurturing confidence in the future there will never be a truly sustainable future for the fishing industry in Newlyn. It is therefore absolutely crucial that any new Commissioners when eventually appointed are made fully aware of the massive challenges they face if they are to effectively deliver what is expected of them, no soft options or quick easy fixes will be available.
The regular outpourings of propaganda focusing on doom and gloom by various increasingly discredited Newlyn notables is in imminent danger of becoming a self fulfilling prophesy which is currrently dragging the Port ever further into the damaging culture of failure in which it appears to be wallowing.
The much delayed Harbour regeneration programmes current focus is on the increasingly divisive fish market project which is seen by many as the epicentre of the entire programme, but is nonetheless,in true Newlyn style, currently stalled. The scheme has already been rejected once by the funders on economic grounds and sent back for revision, as is so often the case in Newlyn it is so far behind schedule as to be risible.
Others, who, for various reasons, do not currently use Newlyns existing market argue that a new market in its proposed form is not necessary in Newlyn as there is a better case for one new market centrally sited on a main arterial route in mid or east Cornwall. This scheme would then serve both Plymouth and Newlyn as well as all the other smaller ports that presently overland their fish to the existing markets.
Part of the reasoning for a large central inland market incorporating an electronic auction is that it would provide potentially higher volumes of fish in one location to better attract online continental buyers and so boost the vital export market through economies of scale.
This proposal to site any new market inland is gaining added currency as Sutton Harbour Holdings the owners of Plymouth Fish Market which is currently operated by Plymouth Trawler Agents would like, if the opportunity arose, to redevelop the prime waterside Sutton Harbour site for housing.
Another factor that strengthens the case for a single inland market is cost, a market hall on an industrial estate could from the exterior be just another anonymous tin shed not incorporating the elaborate aesthetics necessary to satisfy the conservationists in Newlyn with all the consequent cost implications. Ultimately the combined markets users and operator would be getting two for the price of one, a fact that hopefully, has not escaped the attention of the RDA or other funding bodies.
ANOTHER SPANISH VESSEL OF A TYPE THAT COULD FIND LANDING IN NEWLYN VERY ATTRACTIVE IN ORDER TO SAVE FUEL AND INCREASE PRODUCTIVE FISHING TIME.
Modern efficient fish markets will never be big generators of direct employment as so much is automated to reduce labour costs, fish merchants would not be unduly affected by market location neither would the transport operators who move the produce as it would all be concentrated on one easily accessible site.
The real employment and income generators, the boats would still be in Newlyn harbour, still requiring service and supplies and still generating the landing dues which Newlyn has always survived on in the past despite the financial burden of the existing market which has always been enjoyed cost free by its present users.
Removing the significant cost of running and maintaining the existing market out of income from landing dues would immediately cut the harbours currently crippling overheads as the market effectively subsidises its users, who presently pay nothing to the harbour for their use of the facility.
Indeed demolition of the present market and harbour office block both considered eysores and symbols of past failures by many would open up spectacular views of the harbour from the town and alleviate much of the traffic chaos and congestion that presently occurs in the area. This would potentially generate significant income from car parking on the space created as it has done in Padstow where the large car park ensures a very financially sound harbour.
The potential income thus generated could then be chanelled into the provision of fishermens stores, new office accomodation, retail space and even a small day boat market all capable of generating further significant rental income for the harbour.
A new small day boat market retaining the traditional “shout auction” would keep tradition alive, enable tourists to see fish actually being handled and traded whilst catering for the local restaurant trade and fishmongers who demand the freshest highest quality locally sourced fish possible.
With the recent significant contraction through decommissioning of the fleet to match quota availability and a thorough clear out of derelict vessels most fishing activity could in the future be adequately accomodated on the New Pier which would then see parts the North pier available for more productive profitable purposes.
The appalling state of the buildings on the North Pier, both in original design standard and current state of disrepair, is probably the single biggest contributory factor to Newlyn Harbours image of decrepitude and failure. Nontheless the area offers a potentially stunning setting for sympathetic redevelopment as perhaps a combination of artist studios, high class seafood restaurants or marine related retail space.
THE BUILDINGS ON NEWLYNS NORTH PIER CONVEY HOW RUN DOWN THE HARBOUR ESTATE HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO BECOME PROJECTING THE WRONG IMAGE TO VISITORS.
This form of use could generate further potentially significant funds from rents, which currently are insignificant, to channel into the fishing harbour which is what Newlyn must first and foremost always remain. There is a possibility that such regeneration could, if properly executed, having shed the burden of existing market overheads, even lead to a reduction in landing dues for fishermen.
A shop window producing significant income where visitors could safely view a vibrant fishing fleet going about its business and sample its products at the same time could do nothing but good for the promotion of fish sales which is what, in reality, actually produces everyones wages. That said there is nothing wrong with the concept of using quality heritage based tourism to produce additional income streams to further improve the state of Newlyn Harbours finances which according to a recent authorative report appear to be dire.
Newlyns superb geographic location presents further opportunities for attracting itinerant vessels wishing to land their catches into trucks for onward shipment, change crews and replenish stores. By doing this vessel operators would save fuel by cutting out unproductive long passages back to their home ports every trip to land their catches, enabling faster vessel turnarounds, thus giving extended fishing time. This would inevitably become increasingly attractive and gain momentum if, as is confidently predicted, fuel prices rise again in the medium term.
It would also spin off to various local service providers in the form of valuable new trade and potential for new employment generated by the increased demand for services on offer. Newlyn Harbour would get a vital boost to landing dues from the potentially considerable volumes of valuable fish that would be involved.
Newlyn has actually just lost such a potential opportunity to Dingle in Eire with regard to a large proportion of Spains Grand Sole fleet which will be using Dingle as a landing and replenishment base. This is exactly the sort of activity that could have benefitted Newlyn were it more pro active and welcoming.
Landing in Newlyn in Cornwalll as opposed to Dingle in Eire would if properly marketed offer considerable road transport advantages to Spanish vessels as it is much easier to get a truck to Spain from Cornwall in a shorter time that involves only one ferry crossing. A further current advantage would be sterlings relative weakness against the euro which would effectively lower costs for the visitors.
The currently unresolved fish market controversy also appears to be diverting the focus away from the Sandy Cove boat repair and marine engineering project which does offer the real prospect of skilled well paid long term employment more especially when allied to the Port Penlee Marina project.
To see the advantages of this type of development in employment terms it is only necessary to look at what has been achieved locally at Mylor Dockyard where there are now 127 secure well paid jobs when only a handfull existed before the development, which as in Newlyn initially attracted strident local opposition.
It ought to be remembered by those currently locked in the divisive increasingly costly new fish market controversy that successful inspirational regeneration, in reality, actually implies the creation of, subject to reasonable environmental safeguards, enhanced levels of economic activity for all participants. This activity must be in whatever form is deemed to offer the greatest benefits, having due consideration for any previously agreed safeguards, to the maximum number of people.
This effectively encapsulates both newlyn. orgs and NFIF’s remit which must, in the long term, secure prosperity in the form of well paid employment, that comes as a result of a vibrant harbour and its infrastructure. This must be in whatever form necessary to ensure that it is of maximum direct benefit to the entire local community.
It must be born in mind that Newlyn Harbour, despite a school of thought that seems to object to any form of progress or beneficial development, has always been and always will be an industrial working port, the very reason for the towns existence. The harbour has always evolved continuously in tune with the ever changing industry it serves and must be allowed to do so in the future if it is to survive and regain its former status as a premier port and centre of excellence.
To achieve this highly desireable objective a large degree of lateral thinking and flexibility is vital, Newlyn Harbour can and must be revitalised, the case for a new market is not clearcut, in its currently proposed form it could quite concievably become a massive very costly ”white elephant”, yet another monument to folly.
Presently factional infighting is playing directly into the hands of those who will go to any lengths to maintain the present unacceptable status quo, that if allowed to, will in perpetuity, stifle enterprise intiative and the vital level playing field that nurtures the diversity and free enterprise that creates true prosperity.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE SQUALOR EVIDENT ON THE NORTH PIER.
NOTHING NOT EVEN NEWLYN STANDS STILL FOR EVER, IT MUST BE ALLOWED TO EVOLVE. LESSONS CAN BE LEARNED FROM FRANCE AND MORE ESPECIALLY SPAIN WHERE INVESTMENT IN FISHERIES AND PORT INFRASTRUCTURE HAS BEEN MASSIVE. THIS HAS ENSURED THE LONG TERM FUTURE OF AN ALBEIT SMALLER BUT INFINITELY MORE EFFICIENT INDUSTRY.
CONTINENTAL FISHERMEN ARE HIGHLY RESPECTED AND ARE ACTIVELY ENCOURAGED TO SEEK THE EFFICIENCIES THAT RESULT FROM INVESTMENT AND INNOVATION SO NECESSARY TO ENSURE SURVIVAL AND LONG TERM PROSPERITY IN DIFFICULT CHANGING TIMES.
WHILST THEY HAVE REAPED THE BENEFIT OF INSPIRATIONAL LEADERS WHO HAVE HAD THE VISION TO THINK BIG AND DELIVER EFFECTIVELY.
CORNWALL HAS BEEN LEFT BEHIND, MIRED IN PAROCHIALISM, BETRAYED BY SMALL MINDS INCAPABLE OF EMBRACING THE BIGGER PICTURE, WHO HAVE OVER TIME DEMONSTRABLY FAILED TO DELIVER WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY OURS AND BETRAYED US ALL IN THE PROCESS.
IF THE FRENCH AND SPANISH CAN DO IT SO CAN THE CORNISH WHO HAVE A FISHING TRADITION EVERY BIT AS DEEP ROOTED AS OUR CONTINENTAL NEIGHBOURS, GIVEN THE RIGHT CALIBRE OF LEADERSHIP.
NEWLYN IS THE PLACE WHERE BENEFICIAL CHANGE CAN AND MUST BE MADE TO HAPPEN, FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.
THERE MAY WELL BE A TIME IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE WHEN THE PRESSING NEED FOR HOME BASED FOOD PRODUCTION TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER OTHER CONSIDERATIONS. NEWLYN MUST BE PUT IN A POSITION TO FULFILL ITS POTENTIAL.
THERE IS A CONSENSUS THAT PRESENTLY NEWLYN IS SO FAR DOWN THE ROAD TO ECONOMIC COLLAPSE THAT IT IS EFFECTIVELY IN “THE LAST CHANCE SALOON” THIS AWFUL SITUATION MUST BE RECTIFIED BEFORE IT REALLY IS TOO LATE.
BRETON VESSELS SUCH AS THESE FROM LOCTUDY ARE ALREADY REGULAR CALLERS IN NEWLYN ALTHOUGH CURRENTLY THEY DO NOT LAND FISH.
