I had been enjoying a superb autumn on Dungeness beach, catching large quantities of codling up to 8lbs. On my last trip before Christmas I packed up around 2am and couldn’t help but think 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 used by 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 the 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 angling community to oppose this proposal. There’s no point in writing to your local MP as all power over fisheries has been given to the European Union.
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 control 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 4th 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 and our industry.
Stand up and fight!
Nigel Farage MEP, UKIP leader
Josh O'Nyons is a former UKIP member.
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2 comments:
Where were you when they came for the fox and deer hunters? where were you when the came for the smokers? where will you be when England is "Balkanised and has lost all semblance of identity and culture?
Probably bemoaning the fact that you can go fishing anymore, we either fight together or we go down separately, in other words - it's your turn me ole son - suck it up.
UKIP opposes the ban on hunting and the ban on smoking. Bloggers4UKIP has only existed for a few months, we couldn't have done anything at the time. UKIP also opposes regionalisation. They don't yet support an English Parliament but I think it's only a matter of time until they realise that only England votes UKIP. On a personal level (I assume you recognise my name from elsewhere as I do yours) I've been doing my bit for a long time.
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