CORNISH sea anglers have welcomed the support of South West MEP Giles Chichester in their protest against catch quotas.

Mr Chichester visited St Ives yesterday afternoon to discuss support for the protests of the National Federation of Sea Anglers (NFSA) and the Angling Trust against EU proposals to control sea angling and protect endangered species such as cod, ling and pollack through its inclusion in the Common Fisheries Policy Article 47.

Anglers currently have no limits.

NFSA member John Brooks who organises sea angling training courses for the Helston Community College Sea Angling Group says there's too much red tape. "The fish are the property of all.

"Only after the public have taken their personal requirement should the commercial sector be allowed to catch fish on behalf of those who cannot or do not wish to catch their own.

"We should defend our right to exploit our own public fishery resources for our personal use."

Mr Brooks urges other sea anglers to be vigilant about the proposed legislation.

He continued: "The problem is that the parliament makes regulations but it's the ministers who make the final decision so we need to be vigilant with this one because it's a regulation that can be brought in as soon as it has been passed by the ministers.

"Some sea anglers say why we are campaigning now when we do not know what it is. My answer to them is that it's even more important because otherwise they can say that nobody protested."

Mr Chichester met with Mr Brooks outside the St Ives School of Painting for discussions. He told anglers he shared their frustration and anger at this 'ill conceived, irrational piece of legislation'. Mr Chichester said: "Sea angling is an important recreational activity which draws many thousands to the South West.

"It is a valuable asset for local tourism.

"At this time of economic recession, the last thing we need is another government quango inventing regulations over the innocent recreational pastime of sea fishing."