Have recreational fishermen had their chips?

SEA fishermen who enjoy Britain’s most popular hobby may have to apply for a licence and register their catch if Brussels bureaucrats get their way.

The commission has proposed recreational fishing enthusiasts come under direct control of the Common Fisheries Policy in Europe. The regulation would require recreational fisherman to get a licence and register their catch which would then be counted against the fisheries quota for that country.

Kayaking-mad Phil Castle, 43, runs a financial company in Broadstairs. Occasionally, when the waters are calm he likes to catch the odd fish. Under new EU regulations he would have to get a licence and register his catch with the appropriate authorities.

He said: "The sea is a natural force that you can’t control. If I fancy a barbecue with the family I just drag a line from my kayak. Once I caught 18 fish in an hour. I certainly wouldn’t be able to identify some of the fish species. This new proposal is unenforceable."

MEP Richard Ashworth launched a damning attack on what he regards as extreme law making.

He said: "Recreational fishing is a simple pleasure that would become a bureaucratic nightmare if these plans become law. This kind of Draconian approach would do very little to assist in the recovery of fish stocks, yet it will cause a great deal of damage to tourism and the whole fishing sport.

"If the European Union is serious about protecting fish stocks it should launch a fundamental overhaul of the CFP, not target an ancient hobby."

Secretary for the Royal Temple Yacht Club, John Barrett, 60, enjoys regularly taking his yacht out to sea and cannot believe what Brussels have come up with.

He said: "If we decided to fish overboard, I wouldn’t know a kipper from a cod. I’d just ignore the regulation, it’s ridiculous."

Fisherman’s Corner owner Bruce Sales, 62, has had a tackle shop in Ramsgate Harbour for 35 years.

He said: "People will get frustrated having to get a licence to fish and it will reduce the number of people coming into the sport. I just can’t see this happening as it’s impossible to regulate."

The new proposal, under article 47, will go before the European Parliament in April.