This weeks UK-EU summit has delivered a deeply troubling blow for our coastal communities. As part of a broader ‘reset’ with Brussels, the Government has agreed to extend EU fishing access to British waters for another 12 years - until 2038.
This is not a reset. It's a retreat. Here in Sussex we've seen first hand the damage brought by industrial EU supertrawlers. I remember myself in 2021 when many of us were outraged by sightings of European super-trawlers spotted off the Sussex coast.
The subsequent alleged spike in dolphin strandings and depleted fish stocks left all local fishers struggling to compete and all marine ecosystems damaged.
These ships operate on a scale that harms marine ecosystems and sidelines our local fishing fleets. Yet the government appears to have handed them a green light to continue. We should be investing in sustainable British fishing, not sidelining it.
We should be protecting our marine life, not exposing it to industrial exploitation. And above all, we should be standing by the communities that believed in a more sovereign future. Once again - and just a week after VE80 - Britain is being asked to sacrifice the very freedoms we previously reclaimed.
As the bank holiday weekend approaches, I am encouraging everyone to explore more of West Sussex’s great outdoors. Now that spring is in full swing, and flowers are in bloom, why not take advantage of the longer days and warmer weather?
A perfect place to start is Petworth's Pleasure Garden which hosts free Tuesday tours led by brilliant volunteers. Exploring local green spaces is a great way to stay healthy and feel more connected to your surroundings. Whether you prefer a stroll, a scenic picnic, or simply a chance to stretch your legs, spring is a great time to reconnect with nature. It's a wonderful way to soak in the beauty of the local landscape and uncover a bit of history on the way.
