Study reveals fishermens' plight

The research published this week says fishing stocks have declined to such low levels, fishermen have to work much harder than in 1889, when most boats were sail powered.

Ruth Thurstan, lead author of the study, said: "We were astonished.

"For all its technological sophistication and raw power, today's fishing fleet has far less success than its sail-powered equivalent of the late 19th century because of the sharp declines in fish abundance."

Researchers from the University of York and the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) studied fish stocks and catches over the past 121 years and published their findings in the Nature Communications Journal.

Paul Joy, chairman of the Hastings Fishermen's Protection Society, said despite the decline in fish stocks, the quota system had to be changed.

"The problem with the industry today is that smaller coastal communities are not allowed to fish in the same way they have for generations.

"Hastings has been called as perfect a fishery as can be devised in terms of sustainability so to stop us fishing is not looking forward, it's looking backwards."

Mr Joy was speaking at a Marine Stewardship Council event at Webbe's restaurant, Rock-a-Nore, where chefs from across the country gathered on Wednesday to learn more about sustainable fish.

Guests came from the House of Commons and Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant, and Webbe's supremo Paul Webbe said restaurants have a big part to play in helping the fishing industry.

"Our job is to educate the public - there are more than 250 species of fish which are edible.

"In any industry people are governed by price. You can buy cheap fish but it is nowhere near the quality of the catch we buy here on our doorstep."

Simon Brockington, head of conservation at the MCS, hopes the study would press the governments across Europe into action.

"It is vital that governments recognise the changes that have taken place," he said.

"The reform of the Common Fisheries Policy gives an opportunity to set stock protection and recovery targets that are reflective of the historical productivity of the sea."