A recent visit from the new Fisheries Minister, Stephen Morgan, has been praised by MP Andrew George.
Mr Morgan spent an early‑morning tour of Newlyn this week, which Mr George described as “sincerely interested” and free from the political preconceptions he has seen from previous ministers.
Mr George, who cycled from home at 4.30am to meet the Minister at Newlyn Fish Market, said Mr Morgan’s approach stood out from the “umpteenth minister in as many years” to visit the port.
He felt the Minister showed a genuine willingness to follow the science and the evidence — something he believes is essential for balancing marine conservation with a sustainable fishing sector.
Reflecting on how much the market has changed since he first escorted Ministers and Shadow Ministers around the shout auctions more than 30 years ago, Mr George said today’s market is almost silent.
“Newlyn fish market has changed so much since I first took Ministers and shadow Ministers around the shout auctions in the early 1990s,” he said. “It’s very quiet now. Just the clicking of a keyboard and mouse in a side room while 45–55 anonymous bidders engage in the online clock auction.”
He also recalled returning from a Select Committee tour of Scottish and Shetland markets 27 years ago, where he encouraged Newlyn’s operators to adopt electronic auctions.
“After a long pregnant silence, I was nearly frogmarched off the premises! It took another couple of decades for the proposal to be accepted,” he added.
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Mr George said the agenda facing the Minister is substantial, but noted that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s fishing industries are well led.
“Cornwall and Scilly’s fishing industries are well led. The Cornish Fish Producers Organisation (CFPO) is setting the pace for advances in science‑based policymaking.
"But it still needs investment, better protection for low‑impact fishing methods within the 6–12‑mile zone, and improvements in closer working relationships between scientists and the industry.”
He also criticised those who used the fishing industry as “poster boys for divisive campaigns like Brexit”, saying they are “never to be seen when the hard work has to be done” — including addressing the export barriers created in recent years.
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