Quote Originally Posted by docmartin View Post
Totally agree.
Having worked for Groinpus many many years ago I can say that they're probably a little deficient in down-to-earth reality checks even now.
Inner-city vegan organic chai-sipping folks and all that.
Seconded, or thirded. There are cleaned up vessels being deliberately sunk to create artificial reefs. Those are mainly for recreational divers who can enjoy the wildlife they attract. No reason at all not to do the same thing on a larger scale and provide some safe havens in the North Sea. Otherwise the trawlermen will trawl until there is nothing left.

There is a very good book "Cod" by Mark Kurlansky, the title says it all, which is a fascinating read. One of the things that stays with me from his book is the way that Newfoundland fishermen and politicians simply kept the fishing alive until there were no fish left to fish. The lesson being that the oceans do not belong to a small number of self-interested fishermen, they belong to everyone and everyone should have a say. It is a lesson that has not been learnt.