Damaging ‘fly-shooting’ fishing in Channel sparks concerns

Small-scale fishers say mostly EU fleet is devastating catches with method that nets entire shoals of fish

The UK has been accused of allowing a fleet of mainly EU fly-shooting" fishing boats unfettered access" to the Channel, without a proper assessment of the impact on fish populations, the seabed or the livelihoods of small-scale fishers.

Organisations representing small-scale fishers on both sides of the Channel have warned that the fleet is having a devastating" effect on their catches. They are calling for a review of the vessels' UK licences until an impact assessment has been carried out.