For centuries fishermen have braved the elements to bring in their
catch from the waters along our coast. In addition to this sea fishing
is a popular local sport and pastime which attracts visitors to our
area. The local businesses selling wet fish straight from the sea
where it was caught, like Folkestone Trawlers, Griggs in Hythe and
Dungeness Fish, are popular with their customers and also supply many
leading restaurants. Taken together these businesses are part of our
local ‘food tourism’ offering, an increasingly important part of the
visitor economy and something which will be celebrated on the weekend
of the 22nd and 23rd June at the Folkestone Fish Festival. Sea fishing
is not only something that is part of the heritage of our area, but it
supports many jobs, alongside those of the trawler men whose
livelihoods depend on it.
There is of course a debate about the conservation of our fishing
stocks, and this has led the government to start a process of
consultation on the creation of Marine Conservation Zones around the
country, and including one for Hythe Bay. First of all though,
fishermen who are reliant for their living on the same local waters,
generation after generation, have the greatest interest in the
conversation of fishing stocks, as without a sustainable supply, they
do not have a business.
Last week I met with a group of local fishermen, led by Ken Thomas, at
Fishermen’s Beach in Hythe, where we were also joined by the Mayor of
Hythe, Cllr David Owen, the town’s County Councillor Chris Capon, and
one of the Shepway District Councillors for Lydd, Tony Hills. We are
all concerned that the consultation on the creation of a Marine
Conservation Zone (MCZ) for Hythe Bay could prevent any fishing
because Natural England has proposed that the MCZ should be designated
as a ‘repair’ area. This means that no fishing would be allowed in
order to let stocks and protected species living in the sand and
shingle to recover. This cannot be allowed to happen and I have taken
this case up with the Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon as part of the
consultation. The local fishermen have requested that the designation
of the MCZ is instead set at ‘maintain’ meaning that stock levels and
conservation targets are monitored, but fishing is allowed to continue
as it currently does. This would not only be best for the fishermen,
but also recognises that Hythe Bay has been a conservation success in
recent years as there has been an 100% increase in protected species
in the sand and waters of over last decade. Hythe Bay is a model for
sustainable fishing and conservation as it is currently stands, and we
must make sure that it stays that way.
Last Friday, I also met with Laura Bennett at the Folkestone Academy
School, along with three students Thomas West, Travis Sharp, and Scott
Broom. They are raising money to buy specially adapted wheelchairs for
the school, suitable for use in sports like wheelchair basketball.
These wheelchairs not only allow students who are not able to walk to
take part in sports like basketball, but also lets them compete on
equal terms with other young people who can also use these chairs.
This is an excellent initiative and I wish them every success with it.