Brixham Fishing Industry
Fish Market meeting with Rick Smith, chair of Brixham Trawler Agents
Breakfast at Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen
Jim Portus SWFPO
Trawlermen and tour of Beam Trawler
Meeting with the committee of Brixham 21
Devon Sea fisheries to meet Keith Bower, fisheries officer and Chris Venmore, Chair of Devon Sea Fisheries Committee
Visit to the DEFRA offices Marine and Fisheries Agency
The needs of the fishing industry will be high on my agenda if elected as your MP. Fishing is vital to the economy of Brixham, the most important fishing port in the country. We need to be clear that this industry is in grave danger and that with the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty and the enlargement of the EU, our precious resource is being spread ever thinner and our control over decision making even less. We must also resist environmental dogma from quangos such as Natural England that seek to impose restrictions on inshore fishing whilst ignoring successful voluntary schemes operated by local fishermen.
Congratulations to the Brixham Trawlermen who have shown through ‘project minus 50%’ that voluntary local trials can have a huge impact in reducing the horrific discarding of dead but healthy fish into the sea. It is local fishermen who have the greatest interest in sustainable fishing to preserve their industry for the future.
