Britain's fisheries at risk

Fishermen's livelihoods are at risk from "slipper skippers" and organisations selling fishing quota as a commodity.

An inquiry by the environment, food and rural affairs committee looked at the system for managing and allocating quota to the English fishing fleet.

MPs called for urgent changes and put pressure on Defra to justify its position.

Providing opportunities to get fishing quota for the under-ten metre fleet was a particular concern for the committee. This fleet represents the fishing communities which are most vulnerable under the current system.