North East fishing under threat from unrealistic quotas, says Fiona Hall, Liberal Democrat MEP for the North East

2.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 13th May 2008

Local Liberal Democrat MEP Fiona Hall has written to the Minister for Fisheries, to ask for answers on the future of the local fishing industry within her North East constituency.

Fiona has voiced particular concern for inshore fishing vessels under 10m in length, who from 1st May 2008, have been prevented from catching Whiting and Cod , key contributors to their livelihood, by new fishing quotas brought in by DEFRA.

In contrast, vessels over 10m in length have been actively encouraged to fish, in some cases being handed 99.8% of total fishing allocations, leaving smaller vessels distributed with just 0.2%, and the prospect of a bleak future.

Commenting, Fiona said:

"DEFRA's repeated failures to record historically accurate data on catches by vessels under 10m has left the industry with unrealistic quota allocations and has forced local fishermen with small vessels into a frustrating position.

"Added to this, many fishermen are already struggling financially because a poor prawn season, bad weather and rising fuel prices have hit the industry hard this year.

"DEFRA has given small North East fishermen a very raw deal. Promises which were made in the past, for example over a possible quota for line fished mackerel, have never been honoured."

Information regarding quotas can be found on DEFRA's website http://www.defra.gov.uk/marine/fisheries/quota/fqa.htm