Support for fishing grant by south east MEP
The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund is for fishermen struggling with measures including the emergency sea bass ban and it opens for applications today (Tuesday, January 19).
Fishermen in Hastings and Rye have said that new EU laws will close the fisheries but Labour MEP Anneliese Dodds welcomed the grant scheme.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“It is essential that those involved in the fishing industry in Hastings know of the resources available to them through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, and that we get our fair share of these funds,” she said.
“As the Labour MEP for the south east I’m keen to ensure people are aware of the funding opportunities available to them from the EU.
“In addition, I’ve been working with colleagues to make sure that our fishing industry is protected, including urging the UK government and others to take a more long-term approach to issues like sea bass shortages, to avoid the kind of ‘stop-start’ approach we’ve had recently.
“It’s good that quotas have been increased for species such as English Channel plaice, but ultimately we need to make sure we have a longer-term plan for all those species which the south East fishing industry relies on”.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe emergency ban on sea bass means none can be caught until June with a limit of one tonne per month afterwards for commercial fishermen.
Anglers will be limited to one sea bass per month.
The EU also introduced a discard ban this month which means fishermen cannot throw fish back into the sea and must bring back everything they catch.
Hastings Fishermen’s Society chairman Paul Joy said that if cod becomes one of the fish with limitations on how much can be caught, the resulting penalties will close the fishery.
And anglers like Hastings Angling Centre director Martyn Kemp were furious about the ban and described it as a ‘travesty’ for the industry.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMs Dodds also wants the UK government to develop a long-term approach to improved sea bass shortages to protect the interests
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.
1) Make our website your homepage
2) Like our Facebook page
3) Follow us on Twitter
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.
And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!
Always the first with your local news.
Be part of it.