At present few new-builds are underway for the South West fishing fleet. However, adapting existing boats for different fisheries is a busy trade.

Currently, three South West skippers are developing their recently acquired or existing craft into ring netters in hope that the growing Westcountry ring net fishery will have sufficient outlets for its main quarry, Cornish Sardines.

The skippers' investment may further pay off if the anchovy shoals arrive this winter, a species where the first sale price from fish exporters is often sky high. The biggest boat being converted to a ring netter is the White Heather, a 44ft-long Cygnus Marine GRP vessel, which was previously a twin-rig ground trawler registered in Lerwick. It is expected to join the Newlyn fleet shortly.

Alan Toms, boss of the boatyard C Toms & Son, where such conversion work is taking place, said: "The boat is having a new gantry system fitted, a new flooded fish room and a deck re-arrangement for a Hiab power block to be fitted at the stern. We are also fitting bow and stern thrusters so it's quite a big refit.

"A similar refit is being carried out on the Mevagissey netter Heather Anne, but there is no change to its fish room. Work is well underway and includes fitting a sonar, alloy gantry and other deck metalwork for ring netting.

"We also have a local Cygnus Marine GM33 being converted for ring netting. Not every boat will fish as ring netters all year and many are capable of a fairly quick changeover back to gill netting when the need arises."

Equally busy for the local beam trawler/scalloper fleet, refit work (at C Toms & Son) includes the Haringvliet from Brixham being fitted with sponsons – projections from the sides of its upper hull for protection and greater stability – and the mounting of a scallop conveyor system.

"The Brixham beam trawler Amber J is having a new shaft fitted and we have carried out refits on several more beam trawlers, some from Plymouth, some from Brixham, so there is plenty going on," added Mr Toms.