Watson - Sea Angling safe from Euro laws

11.21.00am GMT Wed 18th Feb 2009

Graham Watson MEP with EU Commissioner for Fisheries, Joe Borg on a recent visit to the region.

Today Graham Watson MEP is pleased to allay the fears of the region's many recreational sea Anglers, who have been concerned their sport is under threat by new EU measures, noting the reassurances he has personally received from the EU Commissioner for fishing.

"Tory and UKIP MEPs have been keen to whip-up all too typical anti-EU headlines that the EU wants to ban sea angling. We Liberal Democrat MEPs have sought reassurances and tightening of the legislation so that it can't be misinterpreted."

"Today I have received a letter from the Commissioner stating that the rules are not for ' the hobby angler who catch a few kilos of fish'. This statement to me follows his reassurances to my Lib Dem Colleague Elspeth Attwooll MEP following her Questions in the Fisheries Committee."

"Once again it's Liberal Democrats working hard for our communities; as opposed to gesturing and misguided rhetoric from UKIP and the Tories."

Editors note;

New legislation is currently being discussed on the Common Fisheries Policy for Community control systems for ensuring compliance with the rules which were announced on 17 November 2008. Since then Article 47 on recreational fishing has led to many media stories that recreational sea anglers are to face EU fish quotas.

The new control system is aimed at a growing navy of day trip boats in the Mediterranean hauling substantial catches of blue-fin tuna, for which commercial fishery is almost closed because of the imminent danger of extinction.

Europe's Common Fisheries Policy and fishing quotas are agreed by the 27 Member States, the European Parliaments opinion is sought on this however its opinion is only advisory and not binding by the Council of Ministers.