NEW DIGITAL technology could make traditional fish markets a thing of the past, warn industry insiders.
Electronic logbooks introduced this year mean all fishing boats must upload information on the day's catch.
If the data is made available to the public, this new format could spell the end for Newlyn's market as traders deal directly with vessels at sea.
All vessels more than 15m that fish outside EU waters had to install electronic logbooks by January 1; those fishing within the limits must have the software fitted by July 1. Skippers have to submit their daily activity and the data can be seen by fisheries administration and enforcement staff.
The new regulations have called in to question the need to develop the fish market on the Strand, with harbour commissioner Kevin Bennetts calling for the authority to "hang fire" on any plans for an upgrade. Mr Bennetts, the owner of the Ben Loyal, said with the rapid changes threatening to make fish markets obsolete, the best option was to wait and see.
"It is going to come down to a majority decision whether to proceed with a new building, or re-equip the old market and put in the machinery and fridge space that could at some time in the future move into a new building," he said.
"These are options that nobody has agreed on."
David Stevens, skipper of the Crystal Sea, says the market has to be brought into the electronic age.
"From my point of view, if any market in the South West wants to be up there and competing in the future, they have to be embracing what the industry is doing," he said.
"You can't swim against the tide."
The 20m trawler advertises its catch on its website before it gets in to port and David, 36, who lives in Rosudgeon, says other trawlers in the fleet could soon be following suit.
Progress
"It will help with market supply and demand in terms of information," he said, adding that markets will need to invest in better technology.
"In the long term, you will be buying fish pretty much as soon as it's caught, selling it on a virtual market.
"All you need is somewhere to grade it – and that can be centrally located."
For more information, visit www.marinemanagement.org.uk.
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN