We have seen this campaign through from the launch with the chefs at Hive Beach in May to the final presentation of almost 5000 fish from the Salisbury, West Dorset and Bournemouth groups to Sir Graham Watson MEP.
Over 4 months we have been asking the public at festivals(Springtide, Bridport Food, Dorset Seafood, Green Scythe, Dorset Love Parade, Tolpuddle Martyr's, Dorset 2012, Wessex Food) and on the street to 'Sign a fish for sustainable fisheries' or 'Help the small guys get a fair catch'.
The response has been extraordinary and we were able to explain to our MEP how passionately his constituents feel:
- They have watched Hugh's Fish Fight and are disgusted with the obscene waste.
- They care about unfairness and are shocked that small boats account for 77% of the local fishing fleet but that they only attract 4% of the quota.
- They understand that we are overfishing and know that their children will be having chips without the fish.
- They respect the tough job fishermen do and they know that without the picturesque harbours and the fresh crab sandwiches the tourists will stay away.
- They understand the urgency and know that the next review of the CFP will be too late for UK fishing stocks and coastal communities.
Yesterday's meeting is what this unique alliance between the small-scale fishermen of NUTFA and Greenpeace is all about. 10 fishermen and 5 Greenpeace volunteers were seated around the table with a SW MEP listening carefully and making extensive notes. The reform process of the Common Fisheries Policy is approaching a crucial stage and all parties who want to see fish in the sea in 10 years time must work together now.
Sir Graham Watson is the third SW MEP to join the 'Be a Fisherman's Friend' campaign. As a member of the outspoken, cross-national 'Fish for the Future' group of MEPs we hope that he will be a valuable ally. His constituents clearly expect no less.
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