CAMPAIGNERS hope to turn the tide as they bring an important message to Weymouth.

Environmental group Greenpeace and members of the New Under Ten Fishermen’s Association are visiting the town as part of a national tour of ports in the run up to the General Election.

The groups, which are organising the Coastal Champions tour in fishing boat Rising Tide, share a common interest in supporting local, low-impact fishing boats as a solution to the crisis of dwindling fish stocks and struggling coastal communities.

They aim to recruit Coastal Champions from all political parties to help ensure that whatever the next government looks like it will work to protect the marine environment and coastal communities.

A family fun day will be held as the boat stops off in Weymouth on Saturday, March 14.

People can visit the boat docked next to Custom House Quay from 11am-1.30pm for games boat rides, an exhibition, and a flag raising ceremony.

The event will also feature a Q&A with the parliamentary candidates who will be invited to sign up as ‘Coastal Champions’ supporting a five-point plan which calls for measures including giving sustainable boats a fair share of the quota, restoring fish stocks by rewarding selective fishing methods and protecting the ocean in a way that benefits local fishermen and communities.

Local volunteers have been out collecting signatures on bunting to decorate the boat.

Volunteer Len Herbert said: “People are shocked that 80 per cent of fishermen work in the small, local boats but that they only have 4 per cent of the quota.”

He added: “We are inviting all who care about coastal communities to come to Weymouth on the March 14 to show their support and to challenge their parliamentary candidates to put local fishermen first.”

West Lulworth fisherman Joe Miller said: “The small, low-impact boats are struggling and now need local politicians to really stand up for them.”