Cornish fishermen head for the Yemen

Cornish fishermen head for the Yemen

A Cornish fishing crew is travelling to the Yemen to start a new venture, undeterred by the war underway in the Gulf.

They will be working for businessmen from the Middle Eastern country, who will sell their catches in Europe.

A crew of four are on board the former Newlyn netter, once known as the Boy Antony.

The vessel has journeyed through the Suez Canal, and is now docked at Eritrea in North Africa.

Chris Bean, who is from the Helford, is one of those on board the Lena One which was refitted in Newlyn before the trip.

We do have contingency plans but at the moment we are pressing on with caution

Chris Bean

He said they are continuing with the journey despite advice from the British Government that all British nationals should leave the Yemen.

"It is a concern, but the reports we are getting daily that people on the ground from our company is that they are seeing nothing but kindness," he said.

"As most of our work is on the sea I think we'll just keep our heads down and get on with our work.

"We do have contingency plans, we're not entirely stupid.

"But at the moment we are pressing on with caution."

Red snapper

Once the crew reach their destination they hope to start fishing all year round.

In the monsoon season between April and November they will be catching red snapper.

And the rest of the year they will be fishing for yellow fin tuna.

The scheme has been organised by a fisheries management firm based in Hampshire and there are hopes the venture will open up new opportunities for Cornish fishermen.