MP seeks quota help for fishermen

New EU fishing quotas for next year will be agreed in December

The government is being asked to do more to help fishermen in East Sussex who are facing hardship after reaching their cod quota for the year.

Liberal Democrat environment spokesman, Tim Farron, is putting forward an early day motion seeking intervention.

A recent petition in Hastings and Rye urging the government to reinstate the percentage of the quota allocated in February attracted 4,000 signatures.

Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman Nick Perry said it was "a gross injustice".

"They [the fishermen] must be our priority, and we must not rest until their future is secure," said Mr Perry.

Last week, the European Commission recommended cuts of up to 25% in permitted catches for cod and other main species next year.

The quotas are due to be formally agreed at a summit in Brussels in December.

Fishermen are hoping that by cutting down on the amount of so-called discarding - where fish are thrown back to sea dead or alive because a quota has already been exceeded - the quota for cod may be able to rise next year.