The Greenpeace event that came to Weymouth on 14th March is visiting harbours like ours right around the coast, hoping to ensure our government acts on new European fishing quota legislation.
The Common Fisheries Policy has been reformed so our government can rebalance the quota system in favour of small boats that fish sustainably and create local jobs. If the government acts on this it will be excellent news for our small boats in Weymouth as long as they can also secure backing from the council.
At the harbour side event I asked everyone who wanted to support our fishermen to comment to that effect on the Town Centre Masterplan consultation document. May I use this page to extend this suggestion to your readers, many of whom will have links to the local fishing fleet?
The Weymouth Town Centre Masterplan, which the Green Party generally applauds, and Weymouth Harbour’s Business Plan are documents that set out how the Town Centre and Harbour can be regenerated while maximising much needed income for the Council. In terms of hard cash this will come from sources like luxury flats and high value land users rather than the small fishing craft.
Andy Alcock of the local Licensed Fishermen’s Association said local fishermen were losing their storage facilities. The Green Party is concerned that this is the start of a process that could put more profitable users before the fishermen.
Local fishing craft represent more than hard cash to our harbour and town. Rooted in the local community, they preserve and pass on skills that have been learnt over centuries which mustn’t be lost.
Councillors obviously want the fleet to prosper. But when making hard financial decisions they need to know our views. The consultation ends on April 7th.
Jane Burnet
Green Party Parliamentary Candidate,
South Dorset