Closing the net on illegal fishing

The battle to protect fishermen and dwindling fish stocks has been supported by South East England Lib Dem MEP Catherine Bearder.

The European Parliament at Strasbourg backed a raft of measures aimed at cracking down on illegal fishing, which is threatening the existence of law-abiding crews across the EU.

Catherine said: "Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is one of the most serious threats to biodiversity in our oceans. But today was also an important step in making sure fish stocks are protected along with the livelihoods of fishermen based in the South East and across Europe."

The changes backed today include improved stop checks on fishing boats, closing illegal markets for seafood and increased effort to protect fish stocks.

In August, Catherine met with TV chef and fishing campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall who has called on the EU to reform its Common Fisheries Policy. And last year the MEP took a fishing industry delegation to Brussels to discuss the pressures faced by the industry with the European Commission.

Catherine added: "The reforms discussed today are good for our local fishermen and good for the long term sustainability of fish stocks."