MP backs Fish Fight campaign

Local MP Tim Farron has given his backing to the Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Fish Fight campaign by signing early day motion 1123.

The motion 'welcomes the resolution of the `Fish Fight' campaign to eliminate the environmentally and economically damaging practice of discarding fish before landing.'

The campaign was launched when investigations showed that up to half of all fish trawled in the North Sea are thrown back either dead or dying.

The Early Day motion calls on the Government to demand strong reform of the European Union Common Fisheries Policy to institute a regionalised, ecosystems-based management framework which incentivises the use of selective gear, uses real-time management, including temporary closures, and establishes ecosystem catch quotas rather than single-species landing quotas.

Tim said: "I am pleased to support the Fish Fight campaign as the present system is obviously not working. We must safeguard our fish stocks and that means more effective regulation. Local shops like Stramongate Chip Shop are supporting the campaign so I am pleased to be helping them promote sustainable fishing."