The Cornwall Harbours Board meeting scheduled for 19 March 2026 was set to review the financial performance of the harbours, consider applications for permits to ply for hire, and discuss the management of unserviceable vessels and wrecks. Additionally, the board was scheduled to consider funding for a Pacific Oyster Project and address the situation with the Fal Fishery Cooperative C.I.C.

Budget Monitor April 2025 - January 2026

The board was scheduled to review the financial performance of Cornwall's harbours against their budgets for the period of April 2025 to January 2026. The report indicated a favourable overall movement of £154,000 from the original budget, largely due to an increase in income. While some harbours, such as Port of Truro and Port of Penryn, were forecast to be under budget, others like Newquay Harbour and St Ives Harbour were anticipating overspends. The report recommended that the Board note and approve the harbour's performance against budget and subsequent reserve movements.^[1]

Prince of Wales Pier Permits to Ply 1 April 2026 - 31 March 2027

The meeting was scheduled to consider applications for permits to ply for hire from the Prince of Wales Pier and Fish Strand Quay in Falmouth for the upcoming financial year. Under the Falmouth Piers Byelaws 1987, vessels wishing to trade from these locations require such permits. The report listed eight applicants, including Cornwall Ferries Ltd and Falmouth Pleasure Cruises Ltd, with various vessel types ranging from ferries to pleasure boats. The board was to consider granting these permits, with or without conditions, and to agree on time allocations for the use of allocated steps.

Unserviceable Vessels, at Risk and Wrecks

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to addressing the issue of abandoned and unserviceable vessels within Cornwall's harbours. The report detailed a process for identifying vessels as at risk, unserviceable, or wrecks, with corresponding steps for monitoring, disposal, or removal. The board was asked to agree to the appointment of licensed contractors to dismantle and dispose of unserviceable vessels and wrecks, utilising the Cornwall Harbours General Reserve Fund or specific harbour reserves. The report highlighted the potential obstruction to navigational channels, moorings, and the environmental risks posed by these vessels, noting that the estimated cost for removal and disposal of all identified vessels was approximately £0.165 million.^[2]

Pacific Oyster Project FMC - Request for Funding

The board was scheduled to review the progress of the Pacific Oyster Project, which aims to manage the spread of the invasive Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) in the Fal Estuary and other Cornish waters. The project, led by Falmouth Marine Conservation, has involved extensive surveys and the culling of a significant number of Pacific oysters. The report sought approval to contribute £4,990 from the Port of Truro's 2026/27 budget to support the next stage of the project, which includes expanding survey initiatives across Cornwall, providing training, and developing a management plan. The project aligns with the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Marine Nature Recovery Framework and aims to protect native species and habitats.^[3]

Fal Fishery Cooperative C.I.C

The meeting was to discuss the situation with the Fal Fishery Cooperative C.I.C., which had leased the Lower King Harry Reach Aquaculture Area from the Port of Truro in April 2019 for a 10-year period. The permitted use was for the culture and study of native oysters. However, the report indicated that the CIC had not made rent payments since January 2024, owing a significant amount. The board was asked to consider exercising the break clause in the lease agreement to terminate the lease and clear the site, with potential costs for clearance to be funded by the Port of Truro reserve account.^[4]