Fishermen upset over quota system

Some skippers claim unfair quotas are forcing them out of their catch

South West fishermen have said they are prepared to take drastic action to protect their livelihoods.

The New Under Ten Fishermen's Association believe skippers with boats under 10m (33ft) long are penalised and want their fish quotas increased.

The group is considering legal action and could even consider port blockades.

Defra said it was aware of the current difficulties faced by parts of the fleet and it wanted to work with them to secure a sustainable future.

Fisheries Minister Jonathan Shaw has said there is simply not enough quota to go around.

'Even distribution'

The association was set up by fisherman Dave Cuthbert who said he was frustrated after seeing the number of smaller boats decrease by about a 1,000 over recent years, with about 2,500 vessels remaining.

The catch of smaller boats was not subject to quota regulations until two years ago.

They make up about 85% of the national fleet, but the 2006 EU agreement only allows them 4% of the national quota.

Each of Devon and Cornwall's small fishing boats, which operate mainly in the zone from South Wales to Weymouth, are only allowed to land 50kg (110lbs) of cod and 50kg of Dover sole a month.

This sometimes equates to as little as seven or eight cod and about 100 Dover sole.

Mr Cuthbert told BBC News he disagreed with the EU quota system.

"I've been a fisherman for 29 years and I don't 'own' my fish and I don't think anybody should 'own' fish," he said.

"That might be a simplistic view, but it one that's shared by most under 10m fishermen.

"Fish is a national resource and as such it should be treated so and evenly distributed throughout all members of the fishing community."

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