Fishermen try to keep businesses afloat

Under the proposals, shore fishermen will be required to watch their nets at all times, which they say is not physically possible.

They will seek a compromise at the meeting at Bridlington Town Hall which allows them to keep fishing, but targeting seabass primarily rather than salmon.

Karen Sanderson, who runs a business, Ocean Rewards, with her fisherman husband Andrew, said: “We are hoping they will let us do an experimental fishery targeting bass. We are saying let’s work different nets which hopefully won’t catch salmon and sea trout, but which are still able to catch sea bass and the other fish which the fishermen are more interested in.”

The agency has said it requires fishermen to be in line of sight of their nets at all times apart from one hour “comfort breaks” to ensure “the long-term sustainability of the coastal fishery, and also to ensure consistent regulation”.

The restrictions are due to come in on March 23, the start of the salmon licence season.

Last year the half a dozen fishermen who work beaches along the Holderness coast caught just 240 salmon.

Fisherman Shaun Wingham, from Withernsea, said he thought the real aim was to stop them catching salmon and sea trout “so they go up the rivers to Scotland where they are worth more to anglers”. He added: “The idea is we have to stay on the beach from Monday to Friday evening which is unworkable. They are putting pressure on us when there are only half a dozen of us left, and it can only be pressure from above that they want rid of us.”

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “All licences issued from the 2014 season will include a condition that requires attendance. Attendance is defined as being in line-of-sight, so they won’t need to be on a beach or a boat in dangerous conditions.”