Hastings has the biggest beach-based fishing fleet in the UK

Fishing is one of the main industries in the town, said to have the largest beach-based fishing fleet in the UK.

The talks on Tuesday will focus on how the Sussex town's fishermen can exploit marketing, education and tourism.

Hastings fishermen have said EU fishing quotas, intended to protect species of fish, are putting their jobs at risk.

Fishermen's Museum

Fishing fleets have been working out of Hastings for more than 1,000 years.

Consultancy firm Nautilus Consultants, which specialises in the economic, social and commercial use of natural resources, was commissioned in 2003 to look at ways of creating more secure employment for fishermen in the town.

Its report looked at how the industry could be better marketed in the area, recommending promoting the fishing and seafood trade as a tourist attraction.

It also recommended creating a more educational role for the town's Fishermen's Museum.

Representatives of the fishing fleet, Hastings Borough Council and the consultancy firm will discuss how the suggestions can be implemented.