It's the fishermen who are the endangered species (From Western Telegraph)

It's the fishermen who are the endangered species

DEAR EDITOR, - Peter Davies, of Dale (Letters, July 16th) raises a very good point when he asks what fish we should be eating. Wherever possible buy fish and shellfish fresh from your local inshore licensed fishermen or fish shop!

The fish will be fresh, and it will have been caught by local fishermen using small day trip boats from local harbours by traditional methods; it will have come from stocks that are not exploited in an industrial way by high-powered vessels from foreign fleets that have little interest in stock conservation; and you will be supporting local coastal communities that depend on the sea for their livelihood.

If there is an endangered species locally it is the fishermen themselves and not just because of the dangers of the job. Reeling under unnecessary and unhelpful regulations imposed by the European Union, hemmed in on all sides by the restrictions of Special Areas of Conservation and facing rising costs and fluctuating returns, local fishermen are finding life very tough and many are being forced to leave the industry.

DAVID GARDNER Honorary Secretary South and West Wales Fishing Communities Ltd Valley View, Strawberry Hill, Little Haven.