Local fishermen scored their first victory in the fish quota battle today (Wednesday).
An immediate increase in the amount of cod they can catch was agreed by Fisheries Minister Jonathan Shaw to help the boats get back to sea.
Hastings Fishermen's Protection Society chairman Paul Joy took the fight to London accompanied by MP Michae
l Foster.
The escalating row centres on the 2% fish quota given to small fishing boats (as used at Hastings) compared to the 97% given to larger vessels - as highlighted in the Observer last week.
A dramatic cut in this year's cod quota – from three tonnes a month per boat to just 100 kilogrammes - had meant the fishermen were left high and dry with no point in launching.
"The cutback was despite even the government's own scientists saying stocks have gone up," said Paul.
Representatives of fishermen from around the country were called to action in Hastings on Friday and agreed to take on the government in the courts over unfair fish quotas.
They formed NUTFA - the National Under Ten Metre Fishermen's Association, with Paul as the joint chairman along with Dave Cuthbert from the south west.
Paul and MP Michael outlined the problems to Mr Shaw this week and he agreed to increase the 100kg limit to one tonne a month.
"The immediate crisis has passed thanks to this decision," said Michael. "It's now worth the fishermen going to sea."
He went on: "The government will now challenge Europe over the sharing out of the cod throughout the year.
"I am really pleased that the minister was prepared to meet us so quickly, he was sympathetic, and he understands the problems and wants to come up with a solution."
