Brexit can restore health to our fishing waters

SIR – As someone who is bitterly opposed to Britain leaving the EU, I can see very few good things coming out of Brexit.

However, there is one positive aspect. By leaving the EU, the Government has the opportunity to establish a very large national marine fishery in which no foreign vessels will be permitted to fish.

In this very large area of ocean, protected from the excesses of overfishing, the British fishing industry will be able to preside over a healthy marine environment capable of supporting a huge, sustainable national food resource that can feed this country, and export the surplus very profitably for the foreseeable future.

If the Government were even to consider trading away any part of this enormous asset in the Brexit negotiations, it would constitute a wanton perversion of the whole concept of “taking back control”.

London W1

SIR – I am disconcerted by the report on Britain’s intention to reserve waters within the 12-mile limit for fishing by British vessels only.

How do we police this area? Where will we find the resources to do the job effectively? With the reduction of equipment and personnel in our Armed Forces, made since the time we previously patrolled these areas with ships and aircraft, securing them for our own use is going to prove very hard to achieve. Derek Thomas

Southampton