The report calls for the overhaul and simplification of the current fishing regulatory system and the employment of satellite technology to be used to prevent illegal fishing and to reduce the amount of discarded fish unnecessarily.

Speaking at the debate, Mr Hudghton said “I know of no-one with any interest in fisheries whatsoever, who would not support the principle of environmentally friendly fishing methods.”

It is now fifteen years since the Celtic League at an AGM in Wales called for some of the steps that the EU are contemplating in that time considerable damage has been done to the fishery livelihoods of those who live in the Celtic countries on the ’Atlantic Arc’.

Meanwhile, a United nations convention on Biological Diversity that is currently taking place in Brazil (March 20 - 31), will assess whether calls to extend the protection of marine life, ranging from seaweed to sharks, in the international waters of the high seas is feasible.

Scientists and campaigners say that the biggest threat to the rich biodiversity of the oceans, which remain as unexplored as the planet Mars, is unregulated fishing. Trawler’s that are fishing in ever deeper waters are dragging their nets over sensitive seabed areas in their search for fish, as traditional stocks dwindle due to over-exploitation.

Its is thought that the trawlers may be destroying deep-sea coral for example that may provide nurseries for fish that nurture future stocks.

(Report collated for Celtic News by Rhisiart Talebot - Kernow Branch)

J B Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League

26/03/06