PURSE SEINE

[Julian de'Courcy]

The slaughter has begun and many are looking forward to the large catches of pilchards over this coming winter. This boat I was told had caught 4 to 5 tons the previous evening. The purse seine's will continue until at least January or until the oil content of the fish falls below the commercially viable minimum.



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[Rob MacKillop]

Fine collection, Julian. I love the b&w, but the first colour shot is superb, the blues and oranges. No idea what you are talking about when you mention purse seine. What the heck does that mean?

 

[Dave Farnes]

Google it Rob! Not heard the term before myself.

That is a fine set of images and it is great to see a part of the traditional fishing industry still doing well.

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Fine collection, Julian. I love the b&w, but the first colour shot is superb, the blues and oranges. No idea what you are talking about when you mention purse seine. What the heck does that mean?

Yes I like the coloured one and one of the B+W's. A purse seine is a very deep net which is cast around a shoal of fish, when it has encompassed the shoal the bottom is closed creating a purse which they cannot get out of. The net is then pulled closer to the boat, gradually hurding the fish together. When they are along side the fishing vessel the fish are scooped or sucked out, aboard into tanks which usually contain some water which allows the fish to float somewhat rather than getting squished into pulp. Pilchards are delicate and soon go soft if not kept chilled.

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Google it Rob! Not heard the term before myself.

That is a fine set of images and it is great to see a part of the traditional fishing industry still doing well.

Yes thank you Dave. There is a thriving fishing industry in the UK. I think many who say it has gone do not realise the small number of vessels today are so efficient, small numbers of vessels now can catch what a large fleet used to. The fish stocks have changed and do need to be managed though. The North sea has seen a great revival in stocks after having restrictions and quotas. . Hopefully that will continue else where.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Julian. I love eating some fish, so I'm in no position to criticise how they're caught. Doesn't seem like cricket, though

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Thanks, Julian. I love eating some fish, so I'm in no position to criticise how they're caught. Doesn't seem like cricket, though

Certainly not cricket. In a round about way I am sure all people eat fish. Fish offal is used in all sorts of things such as fertilizer, so even the vegan is going to be a part of the chain. I eat a lot of fish, partly because it is given too me, plus meat meat consumes two thirds of the worlds antibiotics, which is the front line cause of antibiotic resistance, although many wrongly believe it to be human consumption. That is not to say fish and especially shell fish do not have their own problems of contamination from pollution. We are pretty mean us humans.

 

[Pete Askew]

Another superb, and very interesting series, Julian. Keep 'em coming!

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Another superb, and very interesting series, Julian. Keep 'em coming!

Thanks Pete.

 

[Ivar Dahl-Larsen]

A wonderful series, there is only one bad thing about them, I was not the one who did it. I really love how you did it here Julian and I have to agree that both black and white as well as colours work excellently.

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

A wonderful series, there is only one bad thing about them, I was not the one who did it. I really love how you did it here Julian and I have to agree that both black and white as well as colours work excellently.

Thank you Ivar. The proper way shall always be the best way .
Although the boats are colourful somehow B+W I feel suits the working environment. I am also sure the older images around documenting the village has some influence.