Filey fishermen fear for industry’s future
MP and councillors support fishermen after release of regulation changes
The restrictions are to safeguard the levels of salmon, but fishermen in the town mainly catch sea trout.
Last year Mike Cockerill, one of Filey’s representatives on the Borough Council and a Cabinet Member, offered the support of the Borough Council and also discussed the issue with Filey’s MP, Kevin Hollinrake, who offered his support.
Cllr Cockerill said: “The loss of this last vestige of traditional fishing from Coble Landing doesn’t bear thinking about.
“A few years ago Government bureaucracy prevented the Borough Council taking timely steps to protect the launching of the last few cobles when we the beach was down to soft clay, we cannot let this happen again.”
Fish stocks are dwindling in the North Sea and fishermen are concerned their days could be numbered.
Kevin Hollinrake MP said: “I have spoken to the fisheries minister and he is very sympathetic. These fishermen here are fishing in a way that is very sustainable. They take very few salmon out of the ocean. So I think we can make a very good case for a long term fishing industry in Filey.”
The fishermen of Filey are prepared to work with the relevant authorities to ensure sustainability and protect the environment. They have cooperated in the past with the RSPB by altering their methods significantly to reduce the number of seabirds being accidently caught in the nets.
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