In breaking news this evening the Secretary of State for DEFRA has issued a Ministerial Directive for a compensation scheme for those fishermen most impacted by the zero total allowable catch decision on pollack which was recommended by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas last year.
The changes left many Cornish fishermen in ports like Mevagissey and Newquay, who have traditionally relied on the pollack quota, without income at short notice.
St Austell and Newquay’s Member of Parliament Steve Double has been leading a campaign calling on the Government to support the fishermen most impacted by these changes.
Commenting, Steve said:
“I am delighted to see the Environment Secretary this evening announce a compensation scheme to support those fishermen most impacted by the Zero TAC pollack allowance.
This is something I have campaigned long and hard, along with my Cornish MP colleagues, on since I became aware of the changes in November last year, meeting with fishermen and the Ministerial team on numerous occasions, asking questions in Parliament and holding a debate on the subject in February.
The Environment Secretary has listened and taken action, helped greatly by evidence provided to him from Cornish fishermen from places like Mevagissey and Newquay, and I'd particularly like to thank the fishermen from these communities and everyone who contacted me for taking the time to work constructively with me to help make the case for this support. This shows that the Government is on the side of Cornish fishermen and I am pleased to have played a part in them reaching this decision.”
The scheme will be administered by the MMO, who will get in contact directly with eligible vessel owners over the coming weeks to provide further details on how they can access the compensation.