June Mummery delivered a rousing speech in the EU Parliament about the operation of super trawlers in British waters. The Brexit Party attacked the EU for allowing the operation of these boats, which pose a significant threat to wildlife species. Ms Mummery slammed the controversial Common Fisheries Policy as an economic and environmental disaster.
She said: Can somebody please tell me why the EU is allowing super trawlers to operate in the English Channel and the Irish Sea?
Ductch-owned super trawlers, which are up to 14 times the size of an average fishing boat, have already caused controversy in South America, been thrown out of Australian waters and contributed to massive over-fishing in west Africa.
The fact is when it comes to managing our seas, it’s not just what you catch but what you kill.
In the English Channel alone, super trawler by-catch threatens John Dory and blue fish tuna stock.
Ms Mummery continued: It also poses a significant threat to dolphins.
But incredibly, these vessels have also been allowed to work within the English Channel sea bass hatcheries.
Sea bass is a species under so much pressure.
British fishermen are banned from catching it.
The Brexit Party MEP added: It is precisely this type of mismanagement that has made the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy an economic and environmental disaster.
It’s time to learn the lessons of the past and ban the operation of super trawlers.
The Africans don’t want them, the Australians don’t want them and neither do we.
©2020 Express Newspapers