Storage space should improve fishing incomes

For years crab and lobster has had to be trucked 30 miles from Withernsea to Bridlington as the catch cannot be stored in the current compound, which is little more than a car park.

Under the proposals to be put to planning councillors next month, the compound will be extended and a single L-shaped building erected with workspace, chillers and tanks for keeping the shellfish alive. It will allow fishermen to store their catch and negotiate deals with wholesalers.

A new ramp is also going to be built onto the beach directly opposite the compound to avoid tractors having to haul boats down a busy seafront road.

It is expected that fishermen who put out to sea from further down the coast will end up going to Withernsea, as their own accesses to the beach collapse as a result of coastal erosion.

Chairman of the Withernsea and South Holderness Regeneration Partnership, Arthur Hodgson, said fishermen had lacked proper facilities in the past.

"It's been a complete and utter mess for years. At the moment all it is is a parking space and they whip all the catch up to Bridlington. This should mean a few more jobs and a bit more stability. Part of our regeneration group is a fisherman's group and they have been fully involved."

Fisherman Paul Huteson, who has worked out of Withernsea for 20 years, said there was a waiting list. He said: "It's about missing the middleman out – once you've got the facilities companies will come and deal with you. At the moment it all goes to Bridlington."

Although Yorkshire's East Coast is the most productive shellfishing coast in the country, 90 per cent of the brown crab and lobster caught locally is sent overseas, mostly to Spain and France.

Unlike cod and haddock, shellfish is considered more sustainable as discards – anything below the minimum size – are returned to the sea live.

Various projects such as the V-notching scheme, where egg-bearing females are marked with notches in their tail and which allows fishermen to exchange them for cash, are credited with helping to keep the industry going.

The compound, which will be funded by European money is part of a bigger 9m regeneration plan.

It is hoped the application will be heard by the East Riding Council's planning sub-committee on February 8.