5 August 2026
Newly reappointed Fisheries Minister Stephen Morgan MP visited the fishing industry in Newlyn this week. He received a warm welcome, a thorough grounding in the issues facing our industry, and some fantastic local seafood courtesy of the CFPO and the NFFO, who jointly hosted the Minister and his team. Local MP Andrew George joined the visit as well and helped to show the Minister around one of England’s busiest fishing ports.
CFPO Chief Executive and NFFO Chair Chris Ranford said:
“It was a pleasure to welcome the Minister to Cornwall, and to tell him about our Fishing Strategy and all the work we have done to demonstrate the true value of fishing to the region. This is a complex industry and whenever someone new takes office they need to understand a lot of issues very quickly. For doing that there’s no substitute for getting out onto the harbour and talking to the people at the sharp end.”
Mr Morgan met local fishermen, shoreside business owners, and representatives of the Young Fishermen’s Network; as well as going aboard the trawler Crystal Sea, where skipper David Stevens explained his work and the challenges he faces.
Fisheries Minister Stephen Morgan said:
“It has been invaluable to spend time on Newlyn’s quayside and hear directly from those who work here. You can see straight away how central fishing is to life here, not just for those out at sea but for the wider community, merchants, processors and restaurants that all depend on the port’s success.
“I will make sure the voices I’ve heard today help to shape a future where Newlyn’s fleet can continue to thrive.”
NFFO Chief Executive Mike Cohen said:
“The new Minister will soon have to start taking some very difficult decisions and before he does that, its vital that he has some understanding of the lives and livelihoods that his choices will affect. This week he heard about spatial squeeze; the need for management based on facts not opinions; and the industry’s disappointment with the government’s access deal for the EU fleet. He seemed keen to learn and open-minded, and didn’t shy away from the challenging topics. This was a positive start to his tenure and we look forward to working more with him and his team in the future.”