Lowestoft skipper Steve Wightman has started a second auction at the East Anglia port, reports Mick Harrod.
Steve Wightman is a third-generation fisherman, and skippers the family-owned inshore boat Georgie Girl LT 1042, predominantly long-lining from Lowestoft.
Steve said that the main reason for this new venture is to further his business and to build up the local fishing industry by attracting more fish and fishermen to the port.
Auctioneer John Newson selling Georgie Girl’s fish.
In in addition to the Wightman Fishing premises, Steve Wightman has also leased a chiller unit.
At the moment, this auction is selling only the catches from Georgie Girl LT 1042.
Asked about any future expansion, he told Fishing News: “The offer is there for other fishermen, if they wish to join me; either local boats or from further away”.
Steve Wightman’s auctioneer is John Newson, a man with extensive knowledge of the fishing industry. John, who currently works for a Lowestoft fish merchant, was once secretary of the local Fish Merchants Association, and several years ago, was an auctioneer for the Colne fishing fleet.
Steve Wightman thanked Associated British Ports, who he said have been extremely supportive of the project. He said they echoed his wishes to attract more business and more fish to the port, and that they saw no problem with having an extra auction on site.
Steve Wightman baiting his longline hooks.
Merchants are also supportive of Steve Wightman’s auction, and are of the general opinion that they like to see initiative.
Lowestoft’s inshore fishermen have recently experienced a long period of bad weather, keeping them in harbour. Like many others around the coasts, they are worried about being able to catch very little for much of the year, and are especially unhappy about the latest sea bass restrictions. Another concern is the number of electric pulse beamers operating on their traditional fishing grounds.
Read more from Fishing News here.
Lowestoft skipper Steve Wightman has started a second auction at the East Anglia port, reports Mick Harrod.
Steve Wightman is a third-generation fisherman, and skippers the family-owned inshore boat Georgie Girl LT 1042, predominantly long-lining from Lowestoft.
Steve said that the main reason for this new venture is to further his business and to build up the local fishing industry by attracting more fish and fishermen to the port.
Auctioneer John Newson selling Georgie Girl’s fish.
In in addition to the Wightman Fishing premises, Steve Wightman has also leased a chiller unit.
At the moment, this auction is selling only the catches from Georgie Girl LT 1042.
Asked about any future expansion, he told Fishing News: “The offer is there for other fishermen, if they wish to join me; either local boats or from further away”.
Steve Wightman’s auctioneer is John Newson, a man with extensive knowledge of the fishing industry. John, who currently works for a Lowestoft fish merchant, was once secretary of the local Fish Merchants Association, and several years ago, was an auctioneer for the Colne fishing fleet.
Steve Wightman thanked Associated British Ports, who he said have been extremely supportive of the project. He said they echoed his wishes to attract more business and more fish to the port, and that they saw no problem with having an extra auction on site.
Steve Wightman baiting his longline hooks.
Merchants are also supportive of Steve Wightman’s auction, and are of the general opinion that they like to see initiative.
Lowestoft’s inshore fishermen have recently experienced a long period of bad weather, keeping them in harbour. Like many others around the coasts, they are worried about being able to catch very little for much of the year, and are especially unhappy about the latest sea bass restrictions. Another concern is the number of electric pulse beamers operating on their traditional fishing grounds.
Read more from Fishing News here.
