25.10.06
Cornish fisherman in final of National Young Fisherman Award

A young skipper from Cornwall is today travelling to London having reached the final four in the prestigious Fishing News Young Fisherman of the Year Award.

The skipper, David Stevens Junior comes from a long line of successful St Ives skippers, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Since joining the family trawler “Crystal Sea” at the age of 16, David has shown tremendous commitment and leadership. After studying at Banff and Buchan College in Fraserburgh, David gained his ‘Skipper’s ticket’ at the age of 21 and immediately began to act as relief skipper. Following the retirement of David Stevens Senior from seagoing activities in 2002 David Junior assumed the skipper’s role with his brother Alec acting as relief skipper. Despite spending considerable time at sea, when David is ashore he is equally busy after becoming a vice-chairman of the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation in 2004 and a director of both the Cornish Ice and Duchy Fish Quota Companies.

David Stevens Junior was nominated by Seafood Cornwall in recognition of his dedication to all aspects of the fishing, not just at sea catching the fish, which he does very well, but also on representational work, meeting policy makers, scientists and environmentalists. “For us David is a role model for skippers of the future, where catching fish will just be part of the job,” said Nathan de Rozarieux of Seafood Cornwall.

The South West Handline Fishermen’s Association (SWHFA) and Seafood Cornwall have also jointly reached the final of the best promotional campaign award for its line caught bass and Pollack tagging scheme (www.linecaught.org.uk). “To have reached the final against such tough competition is fantastic and is a real testament to the hard work that has been put in by the officers of the SWHFA,” said Nathan de Rozarieux, Project Director, Seafood Cornwall.

For further information please contact Nathan de Rozarieux of Seafood Cornwall on 01736 874304.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in Seafood Cornwall through the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) fund.

Editor's notes:

Seafood Cornwall, an Objective One Fisheries Programme grant funded project, offers advice to industry on fish quality issues and is working to improve marketing and promotion of fish and seafood. Seafood Cornwall is based at the Cornwall Fisheries Resource Centre, 78b The Strand, Newlyn, contact Nathan de Rozarieux, 01736 874304. For more information about the project visit www.seafoodcornwall.org.uk.

Nathan de Rozarieux and David Stevens will both be attending the awards ceremony at 7pm in London on 25th October.

The South West Handline Fishermen’s Association is an organisation representing over 100 handline fishermen in Cornwall and Devon. The Association successfully led the Marine Stewardship Council accreditation of the SW Handline mackerel fishery in 2000. The Association launched the www.linecaught.org.uk website and tagging scheme for line caught bass and Pollack in 2005.

Fishing News is the only weekly national fishing industry publication – for further details on the awards ceremony contact Julian Pryke on 020 7017 4297.

Seafood Cornwall is supported by the Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish) was established by the Government in 1981 and is a Non Departmental Public Body sponsored by the four UK government fisheries departments. Seafish works with all sectors of the UK seafood industry – fishermen, processors, wholesalers, importers, exporters, seafood farmers, fish friers, caterers and retailers – to raise standards, improve efficiency and secure a sustainable future.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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