A NATIONAL campaign aiming to highlight the need to support local fishermen docked in Weymouth over the weekend.

Greenpeace and Nutfa both brought their Coastal Champions Boat Tour to Weymouth Harbour on Saturday, asking people to back a five-point action plan.

This plan includes redistributing the fishing quota to the small scale fishing sector, restoring fish stocks, protecting the marine environment, prioritising access for low-impact fishermen and regionalising fisheries management.

Both organisations are taking a small fishing boat, named Rising Tide, on a tour of England and Wales.

The aim of the campaign is to get coastal champions from all political parties to put local, sustainable fishermen first.

Hannah Martin, Greenpeace campaigner, said: "Weymouth has a proud history of sustainable fishing. It’s fantastic to be here with local fishermen and local politicians who are coming together to support the campaign."

Saturday's family fun day event included face painters, games and opportunities to question politicians on where they stood regarding fisheries policy.

Jane Burnet, Green Party parliamentary candidate for South Dorset, and Simon Bowkett, Labour Party parliamentary candidate for South Dorset, were both in attendance. They were also joined by Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, Cllr Kate Wheller.

All of them pledged their support towards the campaign, agreeing to become coastal champions.

Mr Bowkett said he was proud to be associated with the campaign.

He said: "The reason why Labour will be backing this campaign is because we think inshore fishing, as it stands, and the quota as it stands, they are simply unsustainable and are bad news on a number of fronts."

Ms Burnet suggested the Weymouth Town Centre Masterplan - and Weymouth Harbour Business Plan - could present challenges for local fishermen.

She said: "While both of these documents make references to the fishing fleet, the Green Party would like to see a real commitment to ensure these local boats are able to retain their current use of the harbour in the current locations, without being pushed aside for more profitable uses."

Responding to Ms Burnet's comments, Cllr Wheller said: "The harbour is very, very close to my heart and I can assure you that within those two plans I will be working all the time to support the harbour."

Saturday's event was also attended by Andy Alcock, secretary of the Weymouth and Portland Licensed Fishermen's and Boatmen's Association.

He said: "We really do need the backing of these organisations to highlight to our councillors the problems that we are experiencing.

"We have got problems with the port and Condor going and our storage area is being taken away from us.

"Because of these things that are happening, why should we be put in the firing line?"