‘It was really good to have so many people there and so many different voices speaking about the state of the industry and the potential for the future,’ said Deputy Van Katwyk.
‘But even if just one had turned up, it would’ve been good.’
He was joined by Sea Fisheries, who put on a presentation that looked at the problem of octopus, algal bloom, catch sizes and EU regulations.
‘The octopus are now widespread throughout the western English Channel, and therefore management of their population requires co-operation between all affected parties,’ said Sea Fisheries officer David Wilkinson.
‘We are in regular correspondence with our UK colleagues at DEFRA via an octopus working group to share information and options for future management if the octopus boom persists.’
Each slide was followed by the opportunity for the fishermen to ask questions or make points about the various topics.
‘This is the first step in a long journey,’ said Deputy Van Katwyk.
‘It’s important to get all the information. To help fishermen out at the moment is, for me, my top-level priority.
‘Government has to do something, and has to do something soon, otherwise, in five to 10 years, perhaps Guernsey won’t have a single commercial fishing boat in the ports.’
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