FISHERMEN in South East Cornwall have broadly welcomed the news of an EU agreement that there should be a ban on 'discards'.

However, until a ban actually comes into place they are reserving judgement on whether or not an ending of the dumping of tonnes of fish which are over quota, will be any more viable for their income than the present system.

Dave Bond, of Looe, who is chairman of the South West Handline Association and vice-chairman of Looe Fishermen's Protection Association, says no discards could in some circumstances devalue the catch.

'It is a double-edged sword really,' he said. 'No one likes discards, but if they are phased out it could mean other difficulties coming in.' Mr Bond, who has been a fishermen for 37 years, said: 'It will depend on the EU quota system when the no discards policy is introduced to see if it works, and I hope it does.'

Looe Cornwall councillor Armand Toms, a former fisherman, said: 'The new EU discard policy should be welcomed by local fishermen as it will stop the throwing away of good-quality high-value fish, but like everything else with the EU, the devil is in the detail. I think however, it is a move in the right direction.'

MP Sheryll Murray said: 'This is a significant step forward following years in which this important issue went unaddressed.'