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EU ‘insult’ to fishermen

A huge euro hand-out to Belgian fishermen has been slammed an insult to Fleetwood.

Paul Nuttall, the UK Independence Party’s lead North West candidate in the Euro elections, says the taxes of Fleetwood fishermen are to be used to subsidise the Belgian fleet despite it “harming their livelihood”.

The 52.5 million Euros subsidy has been approved by the European Commission over a six year period. Half of it 26.3 million is coming from the Belgian government which is match funding an EU grant.

“It is a disgrace that Fleetwood trawlermen’s taxes are going to subsidise the Belgian beam trawler fleet” said Mr Nuttall.

“For years the Belgians have been destroying the stocks in the Irish Sea with their large beam trawlers, decimating Fleetwood’s historic industry”

“The fact that the Belgians are getting nigh on £50,000 per head, while our government refuses to help is a national disgrace,” said Mr Nuttall.

But a spokeswoman for government department DEFRA (the department for fishing and rural affairs) said UKIP had missed the point because Britain had also match-funded a similar EU subsidy for UK fishermen.

A DEFRA spokesperson said, Fleetwood fishermen can bid now for a share of more than £60 million, half of which is government math-funding, under the European Fisheries Fund grants scheme. We announced this three months ago.

This is a significant amount of money and will help make the industry more sustainable.

Controversy over the Belgian and Dutch was particularly strong when Fleetwood’s now tiny fishing fleet was larger in the 1980’s and 90’s.

The Common Fisheries Policy, which in theory brought in quota resections to preserve fish stocks, also allowed EU boats to “share” fishing grounds of fellow member nations.

This meant that when Fleetwood boats were tied for conservation reasons, much larger bean trawlers from the continent still had quota right to scoop up white fish in the Irish Sea.

Details of how to apply are available from the Marine and Fisheries Agency
; http://www.mfa.gov.uk/grants/grants.htm

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This post was written by Alan Duggan on November 27, 2008

Memorial Service Planned at Hull

A memorial service to remember the crews of three Hull trawlers lost at sea takes place in January. A coach trip for people from Fleetwood who would like to attend is being organised.

The trawler tragedies happend over 40 years ago. In just one month the St Romanus, Kingston Peridot and Ross Cleveland trawlers were lost. Only one man survived from the crews of all the vessels, Harry Eddom, first mate on the Ross Cleveland. He was washed up on the Icelandic coast clinging to a life raft. He is still alive today but refuses to speak about the tragedy.

More than 6,000 Hull trawlermen have been lost at sea in the last 100 years.

The service is due to take place on January 27th 2009 at the Lockhead in St Andrew’s Dock. Hundreds of people are expected to gather for prayers and hymns.

If anyone would like to attend, please contact John Hardingham on 01253 875678 or Carole Newsham on 01253 874136.

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This post was written by Alan Duggan on November 14, 2008

The entire structure of Fleetwood Pier is to be demolished

A statement by Wyre Borough Council said: “The difficult decision to remove what remains of the fire-ravaged structure was made today following visits earlier in the week from English Heritage and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) combined with the findings of a structural engineer’s report.”
All parties are in agreement the structure is too unstable and has deteriorated to a point where it cannot remain.

A report, prepared on behalf of pier owners Simmo Developments, advises the concrete platform at the very end of the pier should also be demolished.

“As a result all parties have now agreed the remainder of the historic structure should be removed in the interests of public safety,” the statement added.

“All of the cast iron columns have already been removed along with any hazardous material on the site.

“Work has also begun to demolish the main pier building which bore the brunt of the fire.
“It is expected that the site will be completely cleared within two to three weeks.
“In the meantime the whole site, including access from the beach, will be cordoned off.”

The pier was devastated by a blaze on September 9.

Police are still investigating the cause of the fire which is still being described as “unexplained”.
Although no evidence of foul play has yet been found, detectives are not ruling out arson.
Earlier this week the pier’s owners, Simmo Developments, who are headed by Blackpool entertainer Joey Blower, put up a substantial reward for information from anyone who knew how the fire started.
Today’s official announcement was feared ever since it was discovered the metal columns which supported the much-loved boardwalk were damaged beyond repair.

Garry Payne, director of planning and regeneration for Wyre Council, said: “Regrettably, the demolition of the complete pier structure would now seem the only course of action available.

“The structural report presented to the council was presented with concluded that the remaining elements were in such poor condition that they needed to be removed for safety reasons.”

Council leader Coun Russell Forsyth added: “Complete demolition of the pier is an outcome very few people would have wanted, but our first priority has always been to ensure the safety of the public.
“A very difficult decision had to be made.

“However, it was taken following full and frank discussions with building experts who have all shared the same view.”

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