Clever Fish

Sir, Adam Nicholson (Comment, Oct 7) well explains the advantages of managing a natural resource, fish, without the interference of the EU.

I have sailed, for extended periods, in the waters of north Norway, Iceland and the Faroes. In all three, the prosperity of coastal communities stands out in contrast to our own in Scotland. The fleets are busy, boats well maintained, the houses smart and colourful and the people content. Their only fear is the EU. Our Government should follow their example in management and claim the right to 200 miles offshore.

This is the only way to encourage stock growth. In a letter, Neil Kinnock, The EU Commissioner, told me that fish know no international boundaries, forgetting that there are breeding areas.

I and my crew used to catch large fish in home waters, but this can no longer be done. Maybe these fish are cleverer than Kinnock allows, and do indeed swim north knowing that there's a good chance that they will live longer and get fatter.
David Bushby, Perthshire.

The Daily Telegraph 9th October, 2003