I was pleased to show Environment Minister, Rebecca Pow, around Filey recently to meet Rex Harrison, a local fisherman, where we discussed the innovative work he is doing on Bycatch initiatives.
In recent years, amendments to the byelaws for net fishing in Filey have significantly shortened the fishing season, effectively making fishing in the bay close to unviable. Any further restrictions would end the centuries-old heritage fishing in the town, causing needless direct and indirect job-losses and economic harm.
I have arranged and attended many meeting with the local fishing licence holders and the Environment Agency, to discuss possible solutions to the twin aims of conserving salmon stocks whilst preserving heritage fishing in Filey.
I am now hoping to work with the Environment Agency on granting a restricted number of licences that are valid indefinitely, so that these licences can therefore be passed on from the owners to their children. I have requested a meeting and will update Filey constituents in due course.
