COMMISSION PROPOSALS FOR RECREATIONAL SEA ANGLING

That this House expresses concern over the European Commission's proposals to include recreational sea angling catches within the national quota, introduce a licensing scheme for vessels involved with recreational sea angling and force anglers to register their catches (Article 47 of the Commission's Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy COM(2008) 721 final); believes that these proposals will place an unfair burden on recreational sea anglers and put at risk the £1 billion and more than 20,000 jobs recreational sea angling contributes to the economy; notes that in 2008 the Government ruled out introducing a licence for sea anglers; and calls on the Government to oppose these proposals from the Commission.