Fishermen to face ban (From Thisisdorset)

Fishermen to face ban

9:53am Thursday 19th June 2008

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THE Government was today expected to deal a major blow to Dorset's multi-million pound fishing industry.

Fisheries Minister Jonathan Shaw was set to declare a vast area of Lyme Bay out of bounds to trawler and scallop fishermen.

The minister agreed to meet fishermen last night to explain his decision, which users believe will ban them from more than 60 square miles in Lyme Bay.

Livelihoods could be at risk because environmentalists want to protect the bay's unique marine habitats including areas where rare pink sea corals grow.

Fishermen already operate a self-imposed ban on fishing in four agreed areas in the bay.

South West Inshore Fishermen's Association chairman Nick Prust said it would be a 'tragedy' if the minister cut off the 'lifeblood of the industry'.

He said: "The scallop and trawler fisheries close to Lyme Regis and West Bay are essential for the inshore economy, yielding around £3 million yearly.

"We will let him know, in no uncertain terms, that his decision will wreak unacceptable and long-term social and economic damage on Lyme Regis and West Bay.

"That harbour will be like a ghost town."

Fishermen claim they already know Mr Shaw is going to ban them, but fear the exclusion area could be even bigger.

Chris Wason, vice-chairman of the South West Inshore Fishermen's Association, said a ban would only put pressure on areas further afield and in turn threaten them.

Mr Wason said: "If what they say is true, that we destroy 90 per cent of the pink sea fans and sunset coral on our first pass with our dredges, then how come there is any left after the intense fishing over the last 35 or 40 years?"

Mr Wason, whose family have fished in the bay for three generations, said the ban would not only threaten livelihoods but threaten lives as well.

He said: "We are getting pushed further and further away from home and that makes it more dangerous.

"There are three of us on our boat but there are people taking out far bigger boats single-handed and that's not safe. They can't afford to take on crew."

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