For the last year I have been campaigning with our local fishermen to keep Hythe Bay open for commercial fishing. We have taken this campaign to the door of 10 Downing Street, where we presented a petition demonstrating the strength of feeling on this issue. I also organised a special debate in the House of Commons on the subject and we have held meetings with Fisheries Ministers both locally and at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in London. On Monday this week, the Fisheries Minister George Eustice confirmed that our campaign had succeeded, and that proposed restrictions on commercial fishing will not now go ahead. This is excellent news for a local industry that has been an important feature of life in Hythe Bay for centuries. It is also good news for the businesses and restaurants that rely on the high quality fresh fish that is caught and landed along our coast every week.
The Government had been considering establishing a marine conservation zone in Hythe Bay which would have restricted fishing rights, in order to help protect certain features of the sea life and habitats in these waters. Conservation is very important and no-one more than the fishermen wants to ensure that these waters are managed in such a way as to sustain the stocks of fish and sea life. However, if stricter conservation measures are to be introduced there has to be a clear case for them, based on evidence that demonstrates that the current levels of fishing are causing harm.
In Hythe Bay it was not possible to make a clear conservation case for stricter controls on fishing, because there was no evidence that fishing there was doing any damage at all. Fishing in Hythe Bay is mostly carried out by smaller local boats using light weight trawling equipment that does not cause damage by churning up the sea bed, as heavier trawlers do. The Government also agreed that any restrictions on fishing in the Bay could only be introduced if they were compatible with the local fishermen still being able to make a living from these waters.
We all want to ensure a sustainable future for fishing in Hythe Bay, and the government will continue to monitor the quality and diversity of the marine life in these important waters. Any future proposals for conservation measures will though have to be acceptable to the local fishermen. One conservation measure that will be explored will be to restrict entry to Hythe Bay for larger trawlers that could do damage, but to still allow smaller local boats free access. This is something that the government will be discussing with the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities.
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Last Friday I met with two new businesses that have recently opened up in Folkestone. The first of these was the new dog grooming parlour, at 54 The Old High Street, and then the Asian fusion food restaurant, Copper and Spices, at 14 Bouverie Road West. It is always a pleasure to meet new businesses and it was also very positive to note that in both cases the owners are people who have moved into the area, therefore choosing Folkestone as the place they wanted to start their new venture. I would like to wish them both every success for the future.