Since May local Greenpeace groups in the South West and along the Southern Coast have been campaigning for the long overdue reform of the Common Fishing Policy which is up for renewal this Autumn/Winter. Greenpeace gives whole hearted support to those fishermen who tend to use more sustainable, low impact methods when catching fish, yet when you breakdown the quota figures there are many smaller operators who struggle to make a living on the amount of fish they are allowed to land and sell. The crazy quota system forces fisherman to throw up to 60% of their catch back into the sea, most of which is dead or dying and this state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue if fish stocks are to be sustainable.
Greenpeace groups collected over 13,000 signatures from concerned members of the public. A brilliant effort to all who took part on the street and at fish festivals, but what has happened to them? Well, last week local MEP, Ashley Fox took delivery of a massive haul of fishcards. He confessed that he doesn't always see eye to eye with Greenpeace on some issues, but when it comes to CFP reform, he is fully supportive. It will be the task of MEPs to thrash out a new Common Fishing Policy so Mr Fox's positive stance will play an important part when it comes to voting for reform which needs to benefit the fishermen, fish stocks and the health of our oceans. Click here to read Ashley Fox's lead article in his September newsletter.
Many thanks to Mark for representing the Bristol East group at the handover of signatures. This was an important stepping stone in the overall campaign and there is much to do in the future to secure a worthwhile outcome. Good luck to the Oceans team and those groups involved in the remainder of the campaign.
To support the campaign for CFP reform become a Fisherman's Friend here.
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