Scrapping of research programme unfair on Lowestoft fishermen.
24th November 2009
The sudden scrapping of the research programme, which allowed some Lowestoft fishermen to land fish above their quotas, is most unfair as it gives them no time to buy up extra quota and they are left with just a minimal income for the rest of the year.
In-shore under 10m boats, that today make up the Lowestoft fleet, have received a bad deal for too long. 90% of UK boats are under 10m, but they only receive 3% of national quota.
It is vital that at the Common Fisheries Policy review in 2012 inshore fishing gets a better deal. Instead of the unfair and wasteful quota system, fish stocks should be managed locally through time at sea controls, with breeding grounds being closed during the breeding season. The ridiculous discard system whereby fishermen have to throw back dead fish once they have exceeded their quota must become a thing of the past.
Today's Lowestoft fleet are fishing hook and line, not with nets. This means that they are targeting mature fish and they are not indiscriminately hoovering up young fish. This is a sustainable form of fishing that must be encouraged and promoted; it will help maintain fish stocks in the sea and create jobs on the land.
Peter Aldous
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Waveney
