Damaging ‘fly-shooting’ fishing in Channel sparks concerns

Small-scale fishers say principally EU fleet is devastating catches with technique that nets whole shoals of fish

The UK has been accused of permitting a fleet of primarily EU “fly-shooting” fishing boats “unfettered entry” to the Channel, and not using a correct evaluation of the impression on fish populations, the seabed or the livelihoods of small-scale fishers.

Organisations representing small-scale fishers on each side of the Channel have warned that the fleet is having a “devastating” impact on their catches. They're calling for a evaluation of the vessels’ UK licences till an impression evaluation has been carried out.