UNDER-10 METRE FISHING VESSELS

That this House recognises the importance of conserving domestic fish stocks and the efforts of fishermen in the under-10 metre sector in ensuring that their methods of fishing are sustainable and environmentally responsible; expresses concern at the Government's decision in April 2009 to reverse its proposal to give a fair percentage of the quota to the under-10 metre sector in England and Wales; regrets that many small boats such as those fishing in the English Channel are having to throw dead fish back into the sea because of the quota system; and urges the Government to re-instate the percentage of the Channel quota allocated to the under-10 metre sector to ensure this historic trade is protected.