Mersea fishermen join EU flotilla protest on River Thames

Campaigners are angry about fishing quotas and the impact on the livelihood of fishermen with, they claim, the situation set to get worse.

A flotilla of about 60 boats travelled along the Thames to protest to Parliament as part of the Brexit campaign.

Among them was Andrew Craig, a former fisherman who now runs fish stalls in Colchester and campaigns to save British waters for British fishing.

He said: "It went pretty well.

"There were boats from Mersea, Harwich, Maldon and Southend.

"The EU has been using the quotas to get rid of the boats we have.

"What has happened is Spain have been given our waters from 2022.

"They are getting rid of the UK fleet to give it to the Spanish."

He said boats had been lost from Mersea as well as small and large ports around the country.

Mr Craig added: "We only get funding for safety equipment, the Spanish have had funding for new boats for years."

He believes a Brexit, following comments from Fishing Minister George Eustice, would allow British fishermen to reclaim 200 miles of sea and save the industry.

The protest was disrupted by Remain campaigners including Sir Bob Geldof, which Mr Craig described as them "trying to drown us out".

He also criticised Associated British Ports for a lack of support.

Last year Mersea fishermen were fined just over £8,000 for fishing over quota.

The incidents were mistakes but the investigation cost about £500,000.

The fishermen, Terry Stimpson, James Craig and Daniel Swallow admitted exceeding their European Union quotas, in 2011.

The test case angered the industry.

Speaking at the time Clacton MP Douglas Carswell said: “It’s disgusting. We need a British fishing policy that works for British fishermen.

“The shocking truth is there are actually lots of fish in the sea now and these rules are not only preventing fishermen earning an honest livelihood, but they end up in court.”

Fishermen have been urged to vote for Brexit by campaigners and industry leaders.