MP meets fishermen to discuss concerns

Alison Seabeck, MP for Plymouth Moor View, met with local inshore fishermen today at Lockyers Quay, Sutton Harbour on Friday.

They discussed current and ongoing issues that they face within their businesses, along with the unintended, but predictable, consequences of the growth of Marine Protected Area's in the region. Smaller quotas, competition for marine space and grounds, CFP reform, the discard ban and problems with the new MMO website were all on the agenda.

Ms Seabeck said: "There are no simple answers to issues these small scale fishers face in running their businesses within this highly regulated industry. However there does seem to be a lot more that could be done to draw on the experiences of these 'experts' and it is essential that regional knowledge is drawn upon and consideration is given to what the fishermen are seeing. There needs to be improvements in engagement and for the process to be made simpler.

"Fishermen do not work 9-5, nor do they tend to be IT experts and regulators need to realise who their stakeholders are and how to engage with this fragmented industry. Numerous computer based consultations and calls for evidence are not always going to be the best way to hear from these fishermen. It is only by getting out and listening to these individual stories that you can a get a full picture of what is happening now, and what is likely to happen.

“You are not going to achieve that Monday to Friday, 9-5, when they, hopefully, will be at sea earning a living. There is a wealth of knowledge, experience and evidence within the industry that needs to be listened to, and used to help inform and hone policies in a more effective way. Despite some regional engagement that occurs I am sure more can be done to deliver a bottom up approach to address these issues".

Alison would welcome feedback from any of her constituents who are involved in fishing and have had similar, or indeed different concerns.”