I read with interest Jonathan Crawford s letter regarding the proposed new mussel farm. He omits to mention the devastating effect this farm will have on the local fishing industry.

I read with interest Jonathan Crawford's letter regarding the proposed new mussel farm.

He omits to mention the devastating effect this farm will have on the local fishing industry. He does, however, mention Natural England and Devon Wildlife Trust, saying they have no concerns about the impact this farm will have on the environment.

To my knowledge, neither of these organisations has carried out an impact study on the effect this farm will have on the marine environment or the local fishing industry.

Natural England did not exist until recently, but already it has closed off 60 square miles to local fisherman with proposals to close off a further 25 per cent in the near future.

This proposed new mussel farm will add a further three blocks closed off to local fishermen in prime fishing ground at a time when our local fishing industry is already struggling to survive.

I would also question why a Scottish company is not interested in operating and investing in Scotland when Mr. Crawford assures us that this farm "will create new, all-year-round, marine-based jobs and a significant economic boost for the area". Why not Scotland then?

I would also pose the question of whether people realise the visual impact this farm will have?

It means laying massive anchors and steel surface bouys, plus the use of thousands of drums to suspend the mussel ropes. All visible from our heritage coastline.

Our local fishing industry is already struggling, faced with a nightmare of quotas and punitive regulations. This farm could be the final nail in the coffin.

Keith Turner

68 Northfield, Musbury.