Let’s protect and enhance the fish in our seas

The fishing industry and Guernsey amateur fishermen need to be helped in becoming a growth industry. It brings food into GBG hence reducing cash leaving the island to countries. Any new approach could be a catalyst for a much larger fish export business.

In a supermarket I recently saw lobsters that came from Canada, which is ludicrous considering we are surrounded by the sea.

Goal. To increase, at low cost, the protection and enhancement of the fish in our seas and hence generate an enhanced fishing industry.

Action plan:

n Set up new safe homes for breeding fish in sensible locations all over our seabed.

n Purchase old worn-out containers or large box structures and weld compartments and support all over the inside plus holes for fish access all over the container.

n Sink the containers into the sea and after four years they will support many fish and lobsters. Load lobsters, crabs and rare green seaweed within the structure prior to sinking.

n A reasonable goal is sinking 10 containers each year for 20 years.

n Such an approach is green/sustainable/inexpensive/non-polluting/a haven for baby fish/a rare seaweed growth area.

Additional advantages are:

n This would also stop factory fishing ships from France and Spain raping our seabeds.

n Provide excellent fishing at each container which could bring in many visitors to our hotels from Europe and the UK to join in high-quality fishing.

n World fishing competitions bring in visitors that fill our hotels.

n Guernsey fishing is recognised as sustainable model for the world.

Comments:

It may be said that there are international regulations by the EU and even the United Nations that prevent the sinking of very clean containers into our seas.

Just quietly put down the containers without asking permission and if they find out just tell them they are our seas and to leave us alone.

It may be that the experts in our civil service will find reasons not to do this but new deputies, just show leadership.

REX FERBRACHE,

Member of a

Guernsey Think Tank.