Words Of Warning From A Euro MP Regarding RSA Quotas…

I had been enjoying a superb autumn on Dungeness beach, catching loads of codling up to 8lb.

On my last trip before Christmas I packed up at 2am. I thought how incredible it was that from April I might have to report my catch to the authorities or risk breaking the law.

This is because on December 18th 2008, with no prior warning, the European Commission announced that they intended to regulate sea angling.

Be under no illusion, this represents the biggest threat to our sport ever and we must stand up and fight!

The plan is to put sea angling on the same, discredited, quota system as that used by the commercial fishermen.

It will mean that every private boat, yacht or kayak that wants to drop a line over the side will need a license. All fish landed will need to be reported whether caught from boat or shore.
Once the quota for angling is used up, any fish taken could result in a fine of £50,000!

Without an army of officials, the likelihood is that many sea anglers will just become criminals, as bad laws are always treated with contempt. The odd person will be unlucky though and face massive fines.

What is at stake here isn’t just the sport we love, but one of the last freedoms that we enjoy –
It must be stopped!

Over the Christmas holidays I worried about the plan and I had plenty of time to do so as the easterly winds killed cod fishing stone dead. On my return to Brussels I was even more alarmed to see the plans to put these measures through at breakneck speed.

We have to act now, as the final vote by the European Parliament is likely to be in April.

I would strongly urge everyone in the fishing community to oppose this proposal. There’s no point in writing to your local MP, and all power of fisheries has been given to the EU.

Visit the UKIP website, www.ukip.org and sign the petition to have Article 47 dropped.

Contact the MEPs for your area, they can be found at www.europarl.org.uk/uk_meps/MembersMain.htm .

Tell them that you want Article 47 of the 'Council Regulation establishing a Community conrol system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy' to be deleted. Clearly tell them you will not vote for them in the June 4 European Elections if they let you down.

Contact UK Fisheries Minister Huw Irranca-Davies at www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/huw_irranca-davies/ogmore and urge him to get Article 47 dropped.

If tens of thousands take the trouble to lobby you will be listened to. MEP’s need your votes to secure their next five year term. You can put pressure on them.

I am appealing to angling groups in France and Holland and urging them to do the same.

Don't let Brussels bureaucrats ruin our sport or our industry.

Stand up and fight!

Nigel Farage MEP, UKIP leader

Comment...