Recreational fishing licensing condemned

CAMPAIGNERS against EU rules to force sea anglers to log their catches launched a petition in Cornwall this week.

Brussels wants to bring licensing to recreational fishing under the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

But the controversial plans have been condemned.

The move would mean sea anglers would have to keep records of all fish, as all boats used will have to be registered as fishing vessels.

Because of falling fish stocks, officials want to impose the controls and deduct the catches from the quotas of the commercial fishing industry.

The Hands off Our Fishing petition was launched at Falmouth Watersports Centre on Saturday.

West Country MEP Neil Parish, who attended said: "Recreational fishing is a simple pleasure that would become a bureaucratic nightmare if these plans become law.

"This kind of draconian approach would do very little to assist in the recovery of fish stocks, yet it will cause a great deal of damage to tourism and the whole fishing sport.

"If the EU is serious about acting to protect fish stocks, it should launch a fundamental overhaul of the CFP, not target an ancient hobby."

The campaigners have also set up a website http:/www.saveangling.com/ and a facebook group help the fishermen fight the EU regulations on recreational fishing.

Sarah Newton, prospective parliamentary candidate for the Conservatives said: "In my childhood I have spent many happy hours fishing with my grandfather in the Carrick Roads.

"It is ridiculous that a simple family activity of catching a fish for supper, that so many local people enjoy, is going to become part of the bureaucratic nonsense of the EU fishing quotas."