Essex ports could be blockaded by angry fishermen protesting at fishing quotas.

Small boat fishermen fear they may have to take the drastic action if the Government does not alter regulations for small fishing vessels.

The New Under Ten Fishermen's Association (Nutfa), based in Colchester, represents the UK's inshore fleet of fishing boats under ten metres long.

It wants a simplified "days at sea" quota system to regulate the amount of fishing.

It claims the country's fishing quota results in the dumping of £50 million of illegally-caught, yet saleable, fish.

Nutfa plans a media campaign, legal action, ombudsman's inquiry or even a blockade of Essex fishing ports.

"We consider Defra (the Department for Farming and Rural Affairs) to be the single biggest threat to our fish stocks at this time," said secretary and treasurer Andrew Craig, who also represents four East Anglian counties.

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