Fishermen in the under-10 m sector are struggling to stay alive due to “insane regulations”, no voice in management and a lack of quota.
Paul Joy, chairman of the Hastings Fishermen’s society, said that even though the small boats are more sustainable than the big boats they are not allowed to catch the same amount of fish which is “just unfair”.
He explained the reason behind this is the “dramatic lack of understanding from policy makers of how the fishing industry works.”
They are given a blueprint of what to do which requires them to reduce the fleet to meet the quota even if we have no quota.”
This he argued has a social and economic impact on the fleets that go round the coast that make up 90 per cent of this country’s fishing fleet.
“What we need is a sensible fisheries policy that allows for a quota system appropriate for mixed fisheries,” he added.
Paul fears that if the present government does not change the way it manages the small fishing vessels then the inshore fishing communities will die out.
The controversial documentary The End of The Line caused a stir at the Glasgow fishing exhibition. Many fishermen got to voice their opinion and a fierce debate followed.
