Lucy Breakwell The Politics Show North West

Fleetwood: Fishing fleet in terminal decline?

A trip to the seaside would not be complete without fish and chips.

But as you tuck into your cod or haddock do you ever think about where it was caught and by whom?

Thirty years ago the answer would probably of been the fishing port of Fleetwood on the Lancashire coast.

In 2006 the odds of that happening are dramatically reduced.

Back in 1982 almost 12,000 tonnes of fish were landed in Fleetwood but in 2005 the figure was just 570 tonnes.

Ten years ago there were 436 fishermen working out of Fleetwood and now there are 212.

One hundred and forty-one of those are part time so it is no secret that the catching side of the fishing industry is in terminal decline.

Reasons for decline

The fishermen blame a number of things including the common fisheries policy brought in to manage declining fish numbers and give fair access to all member states.

The trawlermen also say other things are having an effect too such as offshore windfarms and the rising costs of fuel.

However, as the catching sector declines the fish processing industry in Fleetwood is booming and is a major local employer, but less and less of the fish they process is caught locally.

We report live from Fleetwood and are joined by the local MP Joan Humble and Chris Davies MEP.

Also in the programme

A new scheme to encourage high flying graduates to fill vacancies in challenging secondary schools comes to Manchester.

The Teach First programme which is inspired by the successful American scheme, Teach for America, is a two year programme that puts high calibre graduates into schools where they work and qualify as teachers.

The scheme as been running in London for three years and starts in Manchester in September 2006.

Between 50 to 60 Teach First teachers will be working in schools in Greater Manchester teaching subjects such as Maths, Science and English.

We meet up with a graduate about to embark on the scheme in Manchester and find out how successful the scheme has been in one London secondary school.

Jim Hancock presents Politics Show North West with Gill Dummigan

The Politics Show

Join Jim Hancock and Gill Dummigan live from Oldham on the Politics Show on Sunday 25 June 2006 at 12:00 on BBC One.

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