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| L-R:Larry Hartwell (ex-skipper/Through the Gaps) - David Stephens (skipper/boat owner) MEP Julie Girling - Nick Howell (ex-Fish Merchant) - Dave Muirhead (Solicitor/ SWHL Secretary) |
A handful of Newlyn's fishing community met with MEP Julie Girling at The Centre last Friday. The open agenda included discussion on quotas, discards and protected areas. Given Julie's position on the Eurpoean Fishereies Committe this represented a very real opportunity to engage with the fishing community in the area. Like it or lump it, the UK IS in the EU and IS directly affected by decisions drafted and made in Brussels - this meeting was a rare opportunity to speak directly with an MEP who sits on the Fisheries Committee.
Those present (including Andy Manza/Stevensons) were very positive in their opinion of Julie whom they felt gave honest and open answers to the points and issues raised. In the light of the poor attendance which in itself might suggest a disenfranchisement from EU representation by the very people Julie has been elected to serve the office team will be looking at ways to better inform, involve and elicit help and useful communications with the fishing community. Given that almost every fisherman now carries a mobile and most are connected to the internet it seems these services might be better employed to stay in touch.
Below is the Jukie Girling manifesto taking from the web site:
Fight for wholesale reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) to make it more efficient, and address the failings of the current policy.
Our manifesto commitments for Fisheries. We will:
Encourage sustainable practices so that they benefit both the environment and those whose livelihood depends upon the industry.
Give communities a greater say over the future of their fishing industries, enabling those with specific knowledge of the local fisheries sector to provide input into fisheries policy and take charge of their own local resources.
Bring an end to the scandal of fish discards.
Take forward the marine and Coastal access act and ensure that its conservation measures are implemented effectively, including the creation of marine conservation zones.