It is a pity more people, particularly fellow fishermen, have not spoken up in support of Paul Gilson.

Earlier press reports encouraged the belief that Mr Gilson had been fined for vastly exceeding fishing quotas.

This is not the case. He upset the Establishment by opposing the mountain of paperwork demanded for even the smallest transaction.

Although it is outrageous that somebody who has contributed so much to our community should be treated like a criminal and financially ruined by comfortably employed pen-pushers in Whitehall, I would support any move to raise the grotesque fine imposed on Mr Gilson.

Our fishing industry has been decimated by successive governments who have failed to fight for these hardworking and often courageous men.

If this had happened in France, fishermen would have blockaded the ports until real justice had been dispensed.

The only public statement I have heard from a fisherman in this country was “the law is the law”.

Pathetic!

Harvey Monte
Elizabeth Road
Southend