MP claims bass rules threaten income of fishermen

MP GRAHAM Stuart has urged Fisheries Minister George Eustice to pursue an exemption for the Holderness coast from a new EU regulation that he claimed threatens the livelihoods of local fishermen.

A total ban on targeted sea bass fishing from the shore jeopardises the future of fishermen who use nets stretched out along the shoreline at low tide to land a catch when the water retreats.

Sea bass is the most valuable part of their haul, Mr Stuart said.

The Conservative MP for Beverley and Holderness said the regulation did not have any conservation value, as they will not be permitted to land any sea bass caught in their nets while they continue to lawfully catch salmon and sea trout, and that instead the dead bass will have to be thrown back into the sea, discarded on the beach or used as crab bait.

Mr Stuart said: “The new EU regulation is a disaster for Holderness onshore fishermen, whose whole business is under threat if they can no longer land sea bass. Given that they will still catch bass when they fish legally for salmon and sea trout, the situation makes no sense.

“It is particularly frustrating because I understand from Andrew Wheeler, the fisheries and coastal business adviser at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, that the most recent analysis of bass on the Holderness coast in 2010 showed healthy stocks of bass.”

The MP added: “In light of the above, I have asked the Minister to press the EU for an exemption for coast beach fishermen in Holderness. This would be the common sense solution and would safeguard the future for our fishermen.”

Shaun Wingham, an onshore fishermen who fishes near Withernsea, said he hoped “a sensible deal” could be struck and praised Mr Stuart for taking action.

Mr Wingham said: “The new EU rules will destroy our livelihood and mean we will have to discard our catch on the beach. They’re pointless and we desperately want them gone.”