Fishermen's online fears
Fishermen in England warn a new online-only system for logging their catches doesn't work. From 1 April if details aren't logged online, fishermen have their licences withdrawn.
From April 1st this year all English fishermen operating vessels 12m long or above must log all details of their operations and catch online, or face having their licence withdrawn. This is called Electronic - or E - logging, and replaces paper forms.
The European Commission says the change will mean better data on stocks and make it easier to clamp down on illegal fishing.
But some fishermen says the system is overcomplicated, and difficult to operate - especially while at sea.
A spokeswoman for the Marine Management Organisation - which operates the system of behalf of Defra - told us the system had been introduced gradually to minimise disruption, and the industry has been supported throughout. She added that some vessels are already successfully using e-logs.
Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced in Bristol by Sally Challoner.
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- Mon 30 Mar 201505:45BBC Radio 4
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