From left to right: Anthony Vage (CDC), Tony Tomlinson, Chair of the FLAG, Alison Elvey (SCT), Paul Trebilcock (CFPO)
Cornwall’s first ever Fishing Training Hub has opened in Newlyn providing a dedicated training centre for Cornwall’s fishermen.
The provision of the centre has been made possible through a 75% FLAG (Fisheries Local Action Group) grant funded by the European Fisheries Fund and the Marine Management Organisation and the project has also been supported by the landlords, Newlyn Pier and Harbour Commissioners. Seafood Cornwall Training (SCT), who manage the Training Hub and match funded the project, provides a variety of courses aimed at improving the skills of fishermen across the region.
Current courses on offer include the four basic sea safety refresher courses and under 16.5m skippers tickets which are all free of charge until the end of March 2014 (T&C’s apply). Alison Elvey, SCT Project Manager, commented, “Its great there is now a dedicated Fishing Training Hub based in Newlyn. It has made the delivery of courses much easier as we now have one location, which has in turn enabled us to increase the courses we provide. We also use the Hub to host our school “Net to Plate” visits and the Princes Trust “Get into Fishing” courses which are also funded by the FLAG.”
Tony Tomlinson, Chair of the FLAG, commented, “This is great news for Newlyn and the fishing sector as a whole. The facility can be used for training across the sector and provide a great resource for the sector in the long term. A warm and friendly place that is the one-stop shop for most fishermen’s training needs. ”
The FLAG is administered in the region by the Cornwall Development Company (CDC), and Anthony Vage, Interim Contract Services Manager, said, “The Seafood Training Hub is an excellent example of what can be achieved through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly FLAG when there is a clear strategic vision to meet the current needs of the fishing industry. The Hub should provide invaluable training, not least to improve safety but also an important educational opportunity for local schools”.
Paul Trebilcock, Chief Executive of the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation and Chair of SCT, commented added, “Seafood Cornwall Training has been operational for 4 years now and the Hub has provided a much needed dedicated space for training fishermen in the port, as well as benefiting the industry as a whole.”
Robert Parsons, Newlyn Harbour Master, added, “This training facility is fantastic for the Fishing fleet and Newlyn Harbour. The training offered will allow fisherman the confidence to operate both safely at sea and to understand all legal requirements of our high seas so that skippers can credibly operate now and into the future”.
The training hub also provides an excellent resource for Newlyn and can be hired out for meetings, clubs and events. 
