Damian Collins invited the Fisheries Minister, Richard Benyon, down to the constituency on Wednesday 17th July. They met with local fishermen at Griggs in Hythe and at Rocksalt in Folkestone.
The local fishermen are campaigning to have the Hythe Bay Marine Conservation Zone set at ‘maintain’ rather than ‘recover’ allowing fishing to continue at its current sustainable level.
Richard Benyon said: “I found it really useful to hear their concerns. It was also useful to see the gear they use and how it has a low impact on the seabed. If we are going to stop the fishermen carrying out their livelihood, we have to have scientific evidence to back this up.”
Damian said: “The Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon accepted my invitation to come to Folkestone and Hythe to meet local trawlermen to discuss the government's consultation on the creation of a marine conservation zone for Hythe Bay.