News

British fishermen angry and betrayed over post-Brexit trade deal

Published

5 years ago

December 30, 2020

A FISHING INDUSTRY leader said he felt “angry, disappointed and betrayed” by the post-Brexit trade deal agreed by Boris Johnson, which he warned would force some firms out of business.

Barrie Deas, the chief executive, said that there was growing disappointment and frustration in the industry – with many fishers furious that EU boats will be able to fish up to six miles off the coast of Britain.

Andrew Locker, chairman of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO), added to the criticism, and said many fishing businesses would be “absolutely worse off by this deal”

Mr Locker who himself runs two boats said: “I don’t know how the hell we’re going to get through 2021. We used to swap the quota we didn’t want with the French and Germans didn’t want. That enabled us to put together a fishing plan. This year we’re going to be woefully short of the amount of saithe, hake and cod we can catch. I am angry, disappointed and betrayed.

There is anger that the “marginal” gains on the share of fish that the UK fleet will be allowed to catch may be outweighed by the end of the system of quota-swapping, which has until now enabled deals to be made between British boats and their European counterparts on mainland Europe.

This is despite The Cabinet Office minister, Michael Gove saying this week that the UK had struck the “best possible” deal for the UK fishing industry, as a whole.

Gove argued that at present British fishermen were entitled to about half the fish in UK waters but by 2026 this will increase to two-thirds.

The agreement, released on Boxing Day morning, contains numerous pages dedicated entirely to fishing policy in the UK and EU’s new relationship, and asserts the “sovereign rights” of EU states and the UK “for the purpose of exploring, exploiting, conserving and managing the living resources in their waters”.

However it also includes a line on “the social and economic benefits of a further period of stability, during which fishers would be permitted until June 30 2026 to continue to enter the waters of the other party”.

Mr Locker said he was not aware of any allowance in the trade deal for UK firms to trade fish quotas with EU countries, which is a crucial part of how the industry manages its catch.

He said many fishing firms would go out of business by the end of the transition in 2026, telling the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: “We are really, really going to struggle this

Mr Locker added: “When Boris Johnson and his government promised Brexit to the fishermen, he promised none of us would be worse off. And I can sit here now and tell you there is a considerable amount of fishing industry representatives and people, fishermen, small families, small communities, absolutely worse off by this deal.”

He said UK negotiators had won a “fraction” of the fishing quotas they had promised and warned about the prospect of having to revisit the deal when the transition period ends in 2026, describing it as a “can of worms”.

“When we were within the EU we used to trade fish with the EU and we used to swap fish that we didn’t use with fish they didn’t use, and that enabled us to put together an annual fishing plan,” he said. “What we’ve got now is a fraction of what we were promised through Brexit, a fraction of the fish we need to fish our annual fisheries plan through Brexit.”

A senior member of the UK’s negotiating team defended the agreement, and described fish as “one of the areas where we had to compromise somewhat”, but said this had been done by “both sides”.

The official said: “The crucial thing on fisheries policy is that although there is a transition, at the end of the transition it returns to normal arrangements, and we have full control over our waters.

“There’s a transition to that point and ideally we would’ve got out of it a bit faster, but where we’ve got to is acceptable and offers gains for the fisheries industry in the short run and a huge right to control everything and work within that after this five-and-a-half-year transition.”

Community

Milford Haven dog back on his feet after major surgery

Published

3 minutes ago

March 31, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MILFORD HAVEN family dog has made a remarkable recovery after a serious leg injury left him barely able to walk.

Murphy, a much-loved pet owned by Louise and Steve Coombe, was suddenly struck down with severe lameness after spending time in the garden. His condition quickly worsened, leaving him struggling to move and clearly in pain.

Concerned for his welfare, his owners sought urgent advice from their local vet, who referred Murphy to specialist orthopaedic surgeons at Weighbridge Veterinary Referrals in Carmarthen.

Severe injury diagnosed

On examination, Orthopaedic Surgeon Nichola Davies identified significant pain in Murphy’s knee joint. Further investigation under anaesthetic confirmed a complete rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament — a debilitating injury similar to an ACL tear in humans.

To restore stability and mobility, surgeons recommended a Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO), a complex procedure designed to stabilise the knee by altering the angle of the shin bone.

Three-hour operation

During a three-hour operation, a team of five clinicians carefully reshaped and repositioned Murphy’s tibia using the Slocum technique. The bone was then secured with a specialised metal plate to support healing.

Post-operative X-rays confirmed the procedure had been successful, with the bone and implant perfectly positioned.

Road to recovery

Murphy’s recovery required strict rest, controlled exercise, and gradual rehabilitation. Within four weeks, he was already beginning to bear weight on the leg again.

By twelve weeks, follow-up scans showed excellent healing, with only a slight residual limp — expected at that stage of recovery.

Nichola Davies said: “Murphy has done brilliantly. Cruciate ligament failure is a very painful condition, but with timely surgery and careful rehabilitation, dogs can make an excellent recovery. His progress has been exactly what we would hope to see.”

Owners praise care

Murphy’s owner Louise said the family were “incredibly grateful” for the care he received.

She said: “The team were kind, friendly, and reassuring throughout. They explained everything clearly and made us feel completely at ease. The surgery has been a great success and Murphy has recovered brilliantly.”

Back to normal life

Murphy is now enjoying increasing activity levels and is expected to return to full exercise in the coming weeks.

His story highlights the importance of early intervention and specialist care in treating serious orthopaedic injuries in pets.

Business

Drone firm’s rise puts West Wales airport at heart of UK defence future

Published

37 minutes ago

March 31, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CUTTING-edge defence technology company that now owns West Wales Airport has revealed how its rapid growth is helping put the region firmly on the map for high-tech innovation and skilled jobs.

https://www.adsadvance.co.uk/media/images/2024%20SUMMER/TEKEVER-drone-REPMUS2024-sonobuoys-23092024.jpg

The company, Tekever, has expanded significantly across the UK in recent years—but it is its presence in west Wales that is playing a crucial role in its operations.

The firm owns West Wales Airport near Aberporth, where it tests advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), trains operators and demonstrates cutting-edge systems to clients.

Strategic role for west Wales

What began as a small UK operation has grown into a major player in defence and security, specialising in AI-driven autonomous systems used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

***Pictured:*** *Alan Fisher, FAC, Paul Webb, Tekever, Alan Maskell, FAC*

Company founder Paul Webb said the airport in west Wales is central to that vision.

He explained that the site provides a unique environment where new technologies can be tested safely while supporting collaboration across the wider aerospace sector.

The Herald understands that facilities like West Wales Airport are increasingly seen as vital national assets, particularly as the UK looks to strengthen its domestic defence capability.

From small beginnings to global reach

Tekever, originally founded in Portugal, established its first UK base in Southampton before expanding to Bath and London. It is now preparing to open a major engineering and manufacturing hub in Swindon.

Its growth has been supported in part by early backing from Farnborough Aerospace Consortium, which helped the company develop key software systems in its early days.

FAC chief executive Alan Fisher said the company’s success highlights the importance of supporting innovative businesses from the outset.

He said: “It is remarkable to see how far the company has progressed. It shows what can be achieved when strong ideas and technical talent are backed in the right way.”

Jobs and opportunities

The expansion is expected to bring further investment and high-skilled employment across the UK, with west Wales playing a continuing role in testing and development.

While much of the manufacturing will take place elsewhere, the airport’s role in trials, training and demonstrations ensures the region remains an important part of the company’s long-term plans.

For west Wales, the presence of a world-leading UAV firm offers not just prestige, but the potential to attract further aerospace and defence businesses to the area.

News

Haverfordwest gym helps Parkinson’s community thrive

Published

43 minutes ago

March 31, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Strength Academy Wales is supporting people across West Wales to stay active, build confidence and live well through inclusive strength training sessions.

A STRENGTH training gym in Haverfordwest is helping more people living with Parkinson’s across West Wales to stay active, connected and live well throughout 2026 and beyond.

Strength Academy Wales (SAW) is a volunteer-led, not-for-profit organisation offering inclusive opportunities for health, fitness and wellbeing. Based in Haverfordwest, SAW supports people of all ages and abilities to enjoy an active lifestyle in a welcoming community environment.

With support from Parkinson’s UK, SAW delivers dedicated strength training sessions for people living with Parkinson’s at its purpose-built gym. These sessions are designed to improve physical strength, boost confidence and provide valuable social connection.

Simon Roach, Lead Volunteer at Strength Academy Wales, founded the organisation after many years coaching weightlifting and strength sports. His personal connection to Parkinson’s has played a key role in shaping the programme.

“Strength Academy Wales is a not-for-profit, volunteer-led community hub in Pembrokeshire. We use strength training to support people’s health, wellbeing and connection with others, and our programmes are open to all ages and abilities.

“I’ve seen how powerful strength training can be — not just for physical progress, but for building confidence and community. My father lived with Parkinson’s, and that experience inspired me to create something meaningful for others locally.

“With encouragement from a retired GP involved in our Age Well programme, and support from Parkinson’s UK, we launched the Parkinson’s Strength Group. We started small, but the sessions quickly grew into a valued part of our timetable.”

Simon added: “I wanted to offer a safe, welcoming space where people could build strength, move with more confidence and connect with others who understand their challenges. Supporting people with Parkinson’s is now a vital part of what we do, and I’m proud of the impact it’s having.”

Alongside its Parkinson’s programme, SAW delivers a wide range of community initiatives supporting older adults, unpaid carers, and people living with conditions such as dementia and arthritis. The organisation continues to grow, recently welcoming new volunteers to support its expanding work.