The tragic loss last week of the UK 11.64m Weymouth-based potter Purbeck Isle, and its three-man crew of David McFarlane (35) and crewmen Robert Prowse (23) and Jack Craig (22) has come as a terrible shock to the entire British fishing industry.

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However, it also yet again comes as a sharp reminder that fishermen are working in the most dangerous job in the world - a fact often overlooked by those who spend their time drawing up rules and regulations to restrict every day, every hour and every piece of rope, pot or net used by fishermen in their efforts to eek out a living in this tough environment.

I’m not for one minute suggesting that this particular tragic incident was the fault of any regulatory authority or group - nor do I wish to use the terrible loss of these men as a political football -- but past history shows us that the forming of new quota systems, days at sea...