Mussels would bring prosperity

REGARDING?the proposed shell fish farm in Lyme Bay. Having worked in the fishing industry for over 17 years, I have seen it undergo significant changes.

Gone are days when fishermen had the God-given right to go to sea and earn a living. Now the industry is one of licences, quota, days at sea and advanced fish-finding electronics on board vessels, designed to make them more akin to catching machines than fishing boats. Fishermen must diversify and look to the future for new opportunities.

With this in mind, and against a background of regular discussions concerning sustainability, protecting the environment, quota cuts and jobs being lost, along comes a local man, not some multi- national conglomerate backed by a Scottish Laird, as some seem to believe, willing to invest significant sums to reverse the trend.

The proposed creation of a mussel farm in Lyme Bay would bring prosperity, at a time when we are experiencing high levels of unemployment and our economy is barely exiting the worst recession for nearly a century. At times like these, we must use the tools in our bag.

Our geographical location allows us to create jobs in the tourist and agriculture industries, but we must not become dependent on these industries alone. We must also ensure our greatest asset, the sea, is also fully utilised. This project, which will occupy less than one per cent of the waters in Lyme Bay, will create 130 jobs. What a great rate of return

Understandably, local mussel farmers are concerned for their livelihoods, but Mr Holmyard has clearly explained that his interest lies in supplying the European markets, so where is the problem?

A local man, willing to invest in the fishing industry, create a sustainable fishery, jobs and economic prosperity for the region and much to the delight of Messers Darling or Osborne, as the case may be, improve our balance of payments along the way

Alan Bartlett,

28 Berrybrook Meadow,

Exminster.