The figure is the combined annual catch from 10 fishing boats which have boycotted their home port for Plymouth.

The depths of their dissatisfaction with Newlyn's landing conditions are outlined in a letter on page 35.

Dave Stevens, author of the letter and skipper of the Crystal Sea, said many other fishermen shared the sentiment but were unwilling to put their names to the letter, which some of his colleagues have supported.

"Newlyn's market workers are losing hours and the community is losing all this money - and we blame the commissioners for not putting forward the best conditions for landing fish," he said.

Nick Howells, chairman of Newlyn's Merchants' Association, said "the business of boats leaving the market" had been discussed.

He said Newlyn's grading systems were being altered to match the systems at Plymouth and Brixham so fishermen can compare prices. Among the claims in the letter is the harbour commissioner's inability to look at other funding streams to speed up construction of the proposed £7 million fish market.

"We're trying to look at other revenues but we have to work against an inertia that has been there for 100 years - and nobody wants to pay more," said a Harbour Commissioner.

He said fishermen were using the new pontoons, which came into use in 2006, without being charged any extra costs for the annual £40,000 maintenance costs.

"Don't say we don't do anything for the fishermen," he continued. "There will be an electronic auction, the new Harbour Revision Order will bring new members to the board, and new grading and refrigeration equipment has been put in the market."

According to government statistics, £18.5 million worth of fish was landed at Newlyn from January to December 2007.

Fishermen who land at Newlyn pay the Harbour Commission two per cent of the value of their catch regardless of where the fish is actually sold, and a further four per cent to the auctioneer if the fish is sold at Newlyn.

article copyright THE CORNISHMAN

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