There are a number of things that Cornwall is renowned for, the surf, the cream tea, the pasty, our glorious beaches and Sardines, yes, Sardines. Historically, the Cornish Sardines industry was once regarded as the global leaders during 18th and 19th centuries. Cornish sardines today are still considered among the best in the world.
Today, the Cornish Sardine industry still thrives and comes out of the port of Newlyn but clearly not in the same volumes that use to be landed. There are a handful of commercial fisherman such as Danny, the skipper of the Golden Harvest, which continue to fish for sardines as his family has done over the generations.
I got the opportunity again recently to join Danny and the crew fishing out the Mounts Bay area one evening. I guess you’d expect that you can fish any time but there’s a reason behind why you’d fish that time. “Its the light” Im told. The evening light is that time of the day when the sardines tend to sit closer to the surface making it easier to catch. When I say easier to catch, Danny still has to hunt for them via his radar/fish finder for help.
If not not aware, commercial fishing is widely recognised as one of the most dangerous professions due to the high risk of injury. Having said that, Its very obvious to see that Danny’s and his crew are very experienced and professional throughout the whole trip. Each and every time they fish, they have to be. The slighest mistake and god only knows what might happen.
So how does this work then? Bear with me here Danny, I think I remember what you told me. If not then I should of paid more attention.
How does one set out to catch these little beauties then? Well, its called ring netting. Danny searches for the fish, once he spots a shoal of size, he shouts to the crew and they sling the net. Then its all about Andy’s skill as a skipper to position his boat and en circle the area as such forming a ring like structure, hence the term, “ring netting. I think I got that right. The crew then start to haul in the net alongside the boats winching gear.
Once the full net is alongside the boat, it’s time to get the tons, yes tons of Sardines on board. That done with a huge vacunm type set up which is dropped into the net and the suction begins and then fills the tanks below. Now when I say tons, that varies on the size of the catch. Danny will casts his nets several times an evening with the aim to catch as many fish as he can. The evening ins’t over then. They”ll return to port and then the off loading of the catch begins. Long hours indeed. The skipper and crew are paid on the basis of what they land. The guys do this six days a week for approximately eight months of the year. Cornish sardines still remain the best in the world. Thanks again Danny and the guys for your time and allowing me once again to come aboard. RD
