 | Shetland fisheries safe but UKIP ticks the wrong box |
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The European Parliament has voted to defend the Shetland Box for a further three years despite attempts by French, Spanish and British UKIP MEPs to open the delicate marine conservation area to an armada of Spanish fishing vessels, Neil Parish, Conservative South West MEP and member of the fisheries committee in the European Parliament, said today.
Although Mr Parish had expected many Spanish and French MEPs to vote in favour of scrapping the box, he was astonished to see UKIP's ten members vote for a measure that could destroy many British fishing livelihoods.
Mr Parish said:
"Fishermen across Britain will rightly be disappointed UKIP was not defending their interests today. UKIP MEPs owe our fishermen an explanation.
"We have fought off the challenge of Spanish, French and Mediterranean MEPs who wanted to send their armada of fishing fleets into one of the most sensitive marine areas around Britain. Conservative MEPs were part of a crucial coalition that ensured the box will continue. This delicate coalition was almost undermined by UKIP.
"Many fishermen depend on this conservation zone for their livelihood and ending the Shetland Box would have added yet more to the mounting pressure faced by our whitefish fleet."
 
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