Press Releases
MEP to Find Out What's Fishy in the Region
26th June 2008
Stephen Hughes, Labour MEP for the North East Region will be meeting with members and officers of the Sea Fisheries Committee in Amble tomorrow at 1pm to discuss difficulties being faced by the area's small fishing fleet and the combination of rising costs (especially fuel)
and the impact of quota regulations, specifically discards policy.
Mr. Hughes will also meet with Labour County Councillor Bob Arckless at the County Council building in Morpeth to talk about ways he can support the important work the County Council is doing to help local fishermen.
Speaking today in Brussels, Mr. Hughes said:--
"I have been in correspondence with the Sea Fisheries Committee, but I wanted to come up to Northumberland to see the situation with my own eyes and to discuss the issues with the people it affects the most.
"The European Parliament has called for a significant range of pilot discard projects as part of the European Commission's proposed new strategies in the fisheries sector. It's certain that both the causes of discards and the measures needed to reduce them vary from fishery to fishery.
For this reason, I believe no single solution will work throughout the European Union. We need to tailor initiatives to meet the needs of local people.
"I look forward to meeting with fishermen to hear their concerns, see the situation and then I can better articulate their views in Brussels and with our own government."
ENDS
For further information, please contact Stephen Hughes MEP on 07770914526 or Researcher, Cyndi Beaver on 07764198400.
Stephen Hughes MEP
Room 4/38 County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UR
Tel: 0191 3849371
Fax: 0191 3846100