Fishermen in Move to Fight Bay Ban in Court ; Fishermen Are Investigating Whether They Can Take...

Posted on: Tuesday, 1 July 2008, 00:08 CDT By Louise Vennells Fishermen are investigating whether they can take the Government to court over the proposed closure of a lucrative fishing ground. The South West Inshore Fishing Association (SWIFA) has recruited a marine lawyer to examine the ban on bottom trawlers in Lyme Bay. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has ordered the closure of a 60 square mile area to protect rare species of coral and other wildlife. But SWIFA maintains that a voluntary agreement to avoid a smaller area was being honoured, and had proved effective. Yesterday, Jim Portus, SWIFA member and chief executive of the South West Fish Producers' Organisation, called on all fishermen across the county to support the fight. He warned that many of them could find their livelihoods in... [read full story]