Fishermen say future of boatyard under threat

Paul Robinson says there is nowhere for fishermen to carry out boat maintenance

A fishing community say its future is being threatened by new rules.

Cullercoats Fishermens Association fears its members are being prevented from carrying out maintenance of their vessels at the boat park in the village.

North Tyneside Council said it has responded to local complaints about the yard's appearance and has updated its regulations, meaning boat repairs must be completed off site.

But the fishermen say there is nowhere else for the work to be done.

North Tyneside Council says the boatyard has become an eyesore

Paul Robinson, from the association, said: "The earliest record of fishing here is 1279 but this could end it.

"We need to do maintenance on the boats to keep our safety certificates.

"If you lose that you'll be deregistered by the shipping registry and you can't fish."

Fisherman Robert Oliver added: "Cullercoats is renowned for being a fishing village, people come down to see the boats come in and we're all up in arms to think the council are stopping us doing something we've done for centuries."

Iain Betham, Head of Estates at North Tyneside Council, said the boatyard had "never been designated as a place for repair and maintenance", only for storage.

"The boatyard is overgrown with weeds and has become littered with derelict vessels, abandoned items, and hazards such as diesel spills, tractor tyres, and discarded fishing nets," he said.

"Our priority is to ensure the boatyard remains a safe and functional space that meets the needs of residents, the local environment and the fishing and leisure craft community."