Anger at plan to save sealife

12:57pm Tuesday 20th March 2007

Comments (7)   Have your say »

FISHERMAN in Dorset today cast scorn on plans for no-fishing conservation zones and rod licences.

A government white paper says the changes are needed to improve effective marine management.

But fishermen have branded the new proposals in the Government's Marine Bill as unnecessary and impractical.

Conservationists say Lyme Bay would be a perfect spot for one of the country's first conservation zones as it is home to the rare pink sea fan coral they claim is damaged by scallop dredging.

Jen-Luc Solandt, of the Marine Conservation Society, said: "We would advocate appropriate protection.

"For example, banning trawling gears from delicate habitats and restricting some coastal developments where bird populations feed over mud habitat, whilst allowing more benign activities such as potting or recreational angling. Also, we would advocate creating some marine reserves within some of these sites to allow the recovery of the entire ecosystem."

But Dorset scallop fishermen believe the zones are unnecessary. Nick Prust, chairman of the South West Scallopers Association, said: "There are already 14 square miles where we have volunteered to stop scalloping to protect the environment.

"The legislation will probably cover those areas but the fear is that eventually they would want to close Lyme Bay entirely.

"Lyme Bay alone is worth £3.5million alone a year and as restrictions on sole, cod and plaice, scallops are going to become more and more important to livelihoods."

The Marine Bill white paper also includes plans to introduce rod licences for sea fishermen - aimed at helping fund effective fishery management'.

But some local fishermen are unimpressed. Fishing rod stockist David Leverton, who is proprietor of Portland Sports and Leisure, said: "Is it April Fool's Day?

"It's totally impractical. Enforcing it for rivers and lakes is fine - they just go along to fishing spots and ask for licences, but there are thousands of miles of coastline and many people also go fishing at night."

Andrew Selby, owner of Weymouth Angling Centre, added: "I think a lot of anglers would be happy to pay a small licence fee - say £15 a year - as long as the money was put back into the industry.

"For example fighting pollution, encouraging younger people to get involved in the sport or encouraging more nursery area for fish to breed.

"But I think the problem they might come up against is policing it. How are they going to make sure ten fishermen on a charter boat out at sea have licenses?"

Paul Phillips, joint manager of Denning Tackle on Portland, said: "How are they going to police it?

"I know that water bailiffs are now being given SAS training to defend themselves and it's going to be no different."

South Dorset MP Jim Knight said: "The white paper sets out proposals to deliver the right balance between protection of the marine environment and social and economic needs.

"I will be contacting representatives of the local fishing community about the specific proposals on chargeable rod licences.

"It is very important to make sure local views are heard as part of this consultation."