Last week we saw very positive news for our campaign to safeguard the future of the local fishing industry, and all of the businesses it supports around Folkestone and Hythe Bay. On Thursday in the House of Commons the government confirmed that it will not be progressing with its original proposals to create a marine conservation zone across the whole of Hythe Bay. This was the result of a consultation that had been led by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The consultation had included 31 different sites around the coast, and it is only in four areas, Hythe Bay being one of them, that they are not going ahead with with creation of the conservation zones.
The purpose of marine conservation zones is to preserve stocks of fish and the sea creatures that live in the sand and water. Some zones are set at 'maintain' which means that commercial fishing can continue, but with ongoing monitoring of the marine life. A zone given the status of 'repair' could effectively prevent commercial fishing in those waters for a number of years. Such an action would have had devastating consequences for the local fishing industry, and also have been totally unwarranted. Hythe Bay has for many years been a conservation success story with tests demonstrating healthy levels of marine life. It is of course in the interests of our local fishermen to ensure that Hythe Bay is fished sustainably, so that there is a future for their businesses; many of which have been run by the same family for generations. The recent storms and the large amount of shingle that they moved along the coast have also demonstrated that nature's power has a far greater impact on the sea bed than the local inshore fishing fleet.
With the support of local fishermen, and local Councillors we made a very strong representation to the government to reconsider its proposals including presenting a petition for the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street, holding a debate at the House of Commons focused on Hythe Bay, and arranging for the then Fisheries Minister, Richard Benyon to visit the constituency and discuss our concerns directly. Richard played a vital role in getting the Department to reconsider its approach to conservation in Hythe Bay and I would like to thank him for his support.
The new Fisheries Minister, George Eustice, confirmed to me in parliament last week that the government is now going to look at smaller conservation measures which can work alongside the commercial activities of the fleet in Hythe Bay. There will be a further consultation on these measures in the new year and I have arranged to meet with him in two weeks time, along with local representatives of the fishing industry to discuss this in more detail.
Our overriding concern is that we continue the successful management of our local waters which have for centuries allowed for a sustainable livelihood for the fishermen, a ready supply for their customers and a proven track record of conservation for the marine life.