EU Commission risks bankrupting the North Devon fishing fleet

The Marine Management Organisation has removed nearly all fishing rights from the Bristol Channel over fears that the EU will fine them if they continue to allow fishing of Skate and Rays.

The ban will bankrupt the North Devon fleet which relies on Skate and Ray fishing in the channel and will cost hundreds of jobs. Belgian and French fishing boats are continuing to fish for Skate and Rays outside the 6 mile inland fisheries boundary where the British government has given up its sovereignty to the EU.

UKIP's Fisheries spokesman, Ray Finch MEP, has requested a meeting with the EU Fisheries Commissioner to demand action be taken to save the North Devon fleet and stop Belgian and French fishermen from exploiting fish stocks.