Sir, Frank Pope’s analysis (April 23) of the current situation in Europe’s fishing industry makes many valid points. But he omits the fundamental factor causing the overfishing problem — the unregulated manufacture and sale of fishing nets. While the mesh size of nets continues to be decided by fishermen and not determined by marine scientists, and regulated by politicians, we will see the demise of the entire fishing industry within the next decade.

As long ago as the 1950s research experiments carried out at the Marine Research Laboratories in Aberdeen showed that the ideal minimum size of mesh for trawl nets, used as the cod ends, was about 100mm. Underwater film showed mature fish being caught while immature fish slipped unharmed through that mesh size to mature for another year or more.

Skippers and politicians choosing to ignore scientific advice are entirely responsible for the present situation in the North Sea and other fishing grounds in Europe. Many retired skippers, now wealthy and comfortable, may yet witness this generation of skippers lose their livelihood.

Dogger Bank and similar areas have suffered from human greed for decades no less than our national banks.

K. H. Macleod

Troon, Ayrshire

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