Fishing industry 'let down by Government'

SURRENDERING FISHING RIGHTS HAS HAD 'DEVASTATING IMPACT'

- By KATIE TIMMS and KATIE OBORN

A PLYMOUTH skipper has revealed the devastating impact that surrendering fishing rights has had on the entire sector.

The fisherman declared there is “no support from the Government” regarding the 12-mile boundary issue, calling the situation heartbreaking.

A separate seafood trader has warned the sector has reached a ‘tipping point’ which will devastate coastal communities across the region. Steven Walker has worked as a fisherman for 35 years, serving as a captain for 15 years around Devon and Cornwall waters.

The 52-year-old, speaking exclusively to the Express, said the present circumstances have deteriorated significantly “due to the Government giving away access to our 12-mile limit”. However, Defra has insisted that the recent agreement with the EU “protects Britain’s fishing access”.

Mr Walker said: “We don’t have support from the government, there has been no investment in new bigger vessels like the European ports have had - and it just goes to show that they don’t care what happens to fishing.

“The demand for fish in the UK isn’t as high as it is in Europe, again since the government gave it away in 1972, they have never promoted fish and fishing in this country so you could say it has been worth billions over that time.”