Seafish is exploring alternative ways to target monkfish and megrims in SW England and is inviting tenders for a charter vessel for fishing trials.
As part of the Cornish Beam Trawl Diversification Project, Seafish, in conjunction with the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation Ltd (CFPO), wants to charter a UK registered, twin or single rig demersal trawler, from anywhere in the UK, that has a proven track record in catching monkfish and megrims.
The trawler needs to be a minimum of 700HP and 20m in length and rigged with trawl doors, twin/single trawls, sweeps and bridles suitable for targeting monkfish and megrims on a variety of seabed types in SW England. The charter will operate out of Newlyn, and will be for a period of two to four weeks on mutually agreed dates between June and October 2008.
“With ever-increasing fuel costs, the viability of the Cornish beam trawler fleet is under threat. The new Seafish Industry Project Fund seeks to explore ways in which the main target species of the fleet, namely monkfish and megrims, can be fished in a more cost-effective and sustainable manner,” said Mike Montgomerie, Seafish Project Manager.
“To do this we need to charter a suitable vessel which can come from anywhere in the UK manned by a fully qualified skipper, mate and crew. There also needs to be space onboard for up to three extra Seafish staff or CFPO representatives.
Steaming time to and from the SW will be included in charter.”
The closing date for all applications, which should be marked Beam Trawl Diversification Tender, is 21 May 2008. Applications should be sent to Mike Montgomerie, Sea Fish Industry Authority, Seafish House, St Andrews Dock, Hull, HU3 4QE.
