European fishermen presented a united front in Antwerp

But his 17-metre fishing vessel was recently decommissioned and scrapped, after Bob decided the growing list of European restrictions and quotas had rendered it unviable.

Bob was joined by fishermen from all over the UK and the European Union when they congregated in Antwerp to protest against Commission proposals to put further restrictions on their livelihood.

Speaking to BBC News Online from a coach packed with fellow delegates he said he didn't want to leave the industry he had served for 40 years.

'Abundance'

"I would hate to think of leaving fishing; it is a unique industry," he insisted, "But I don't know what's going to happen to me."

He said most protesters had arrived by fishing vessel, sailing into the port at lunchtime on Wednesday, and proudly bearing banners and national flags.

Ministers are under the opinion that if they cut the quotas..the price of fish will go up, but it doesn't go up by that much. The housewife won't pay another 50% Bob Casson UK delegate in Antwerp

"About 1,500 to 2,000 people gathered on the quay and a British trawler had brought fish for supporters to eat. It was busy, and we are getting a lot of support and publicity, which is great."

Despite facing an uncertain future protesters haven't lost hope that they can make an impact on next week's European Commission negotiations to determine the level of permitted fishing in 2004.

"There is still light at the end of the tunnel," said Bob.

"I hope we will at least get an increase in the quotas for some species. There's been an abundance of haddock in the North Sea this year, if we could get that it would help."

Bob's base is the Tyneside port of North Shields, but he doesn't know if he'll be able to stay in the area since his boat was decommissioned.

'No future'

"I didn't think that, with the size of my vessel, it was worth carrying on. Boats over 15 metres have had heavy restrictions imposed on them."

"For example, in January 2004 I would have had to fit a satellite monitoring system costing up to �7,000, so that DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) would know where we were any time.

"The quotas have also hit me very hard. Last year our cod, haddock and whiting quotas were cut in half.

Supporters lined up for fish brought to Belgium on the British trawler 'Kirkella'

"Ministers are under the opinion that if they cut the quotas and there's less fish, then the price of fish will go up, but it doesn't go up by that much. The housewife won't pay another 50%."

Bob Casson is a past president of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations (NFFO), which is in turn a member of the European Fishing Action Group - the organisers of this week's action.

"I've been active in the organisation for so long I have come to Antwerp as one of eight representatives," he explained, "It's important that the industry is represented."

While the coach pulled away from the quayside demonstration and drove towards a press conference in the city, Bob said that as the fishing industry continues to decline, there's at least one concern that he does not have.

"I have two daughters, so at least I don't have the worry that my sons have no industry to go into, no future."