LIB DEM LEADER HEARS CONCERN OVER FISHING QUOTAS

10.50.39am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 25th Aug 2008

Nick Clegg (left) with Stephen Gilbert and Philip Trebilcock inspecting a lobster catch

The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg MP, was in Newquay Harbour on Friday (August 22) to hear for himself the concerns of local fishermen about the European Union's Common Fisheries Policy.

Mr Clegg, the MP for Sheffield Hallam, met with local fishing leader Philip Trebilcock and went out to inspect some lobster pots with Newquay's Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate Stephen Gilbert.

Nick Clegg said: "I wanted to talk to local fishermen about some of the problems the industry is facing, particularly with quotas and with the cost of fuel. I have long been critical of the Common Fisheries Policy and it's quite clear that it is still not working properly for fishermen."

Mr Clegg added that the Liberal Democrats would give control over fishing quotas back to local communities.

Stephen Gilbert, Newquay's Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate for said, "Local communities are best placed to control their own fishing quotas and I think more help is needed for younger people who want to get start a career in fishing but can't afford the entry costs."

Mr Gilbert, who's great grandfather used to fish along Cornwall's north coast, added that he would continue to press government to see what help could be given to an industry struggling with fuel costs. He said: "It seems very unfair that the French and Spanish governments are helping their fishing industries with the rising cost of fuel but the British government won't. I will be pressing the Government to see what more can be done."