A British fisherman has slammed the EU deal, revealing plans to relocate to Spain as the industry faces a ‘collapse’. Tom Parker, 37, a seasoned fisherman since his teens, has voiced his frustration following an agreement that allows EU vessels access to UK waters for another 12 years.
The pact inked by Sir Keir Starmer in the capital today shows Britain will remain bound by EU trade standards. Post-deal, Brixham-based JT Fishing Ltd’s Mr Parker is eyeing a fishing future in northern Spain. Lamenting the dire state of UK fishing, Mr Parker remarked that the sector is “collapsing” and noted the ageing population of fishermen.
He declared: “I am looking for a new country. It is time to leave.” Boat owner for half a decade, Mr Parker finds Spanish regulations more manageable than Britain’s. He disclosed: “At the moment it is out of the talking phase. I was looking at Australia but the regulations are just as bad.”
Mr Parker reiterated the industry’s “collapse” and the advancing age of its workers. He criticised: “They always played out on fishery and how we don’t need fishing but the rest of the EU is very interested to get hold of the fishing rights in the UK – it makes you wonder how many brain cells these politicians have got.”
He concluded with a stark assessment: “I don’t think the EU is the problem – the UK government haven’t got a clue on any economics.” The fisherman fumed: “It is out of our control – they don’t care. They are going to push their agenda.” When discussing Keir Starmer, he remarked: “Keir Starmer – surprised no one shot him yet. He is an absolute idiot. He has got no clue on business. He just says tax the rich.”
He explained that the quota system has pushed boat-owners to smaller, often more hazardous vessels. He said that many current fishermen are getting older. “Most fishermen are in their 60s – the whole thing is collapsing anyway. If there is no fisherman there is no one to be on the boats.” He bemoaned the state of the UK fishing industry. “50 per cent of the fishermen are not from the UK. There isn’t any younger fishermen coming through. The whole industry is dying and it is due to over regulation and it is suffocated by the bureaucracy.”