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A delegation of cove fishermen from West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will meeting Fisheries Minister, Richard Benyon MP, in Westminster today, Tuesday 13th September 2011 at 1.15 pm, to urge the Minister not to go ahead with damaging policy changes.
The delegation, led by local MP, Andrew George, includes representatives from coves on the Lizard, Porthleven, St Ives Bay, Newlyn and the Scillies. They will ask the Minister to rethink his policy which they believe will restrict fishing opportunities for under 10-metre vessels and for him to show greater flexibility when introducing new conservation areas.
Mr George said: "These fishermen have the lowest impact on the marine environment and yet are the most regulated. Because United Kingdom authorities have less power to police fishing waters beyond the six mile limit, it is those cove fishermen who can only fish within a limited return day trip from their cove who are affected by many of these regulations. I hope the Minister will listen carefully. Because, as presently drafted many fishermen fear the proposals will succeed in damaging both fish stocks and fishermen's livelihoods.
"None of these boats have the power to do the damage that some larger vessels do. Many make a living purely from simple handlines; something which has to be the lowest impact fishing method of all. Fishermen are genuinely worried that this could be the last straw and could put many out of business. We all hope that the Minister is listening."
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