'We will shout from the rooftops – these communities need to be protected.'

Eastern Daily Press: UKIP leader Paul Nuttall (centre) with June Mummery, who organised the meeting in Lowestoft, and UKIP prospective parliamentary candidate for Waveney, Bert Poole. Pictures; Mick HowesUKIP leader Paul Nuttall (centre) with June Mummery, who organised the meeting in Lowestoft, and UKIP prospective parliamentary candidate for Waveney, Bert Poole. Pictures; Mick Howes (Image: Archant)

That was the vow from the leader of UKIP, Paul Nuttall, as he visited Lowestoft and showed 'solidarity' with the town's fishing community tonight (Tuesday, June 6).

Mr Nuttall and UKIP fisheries spokesman, Mike Hookem, said there was a golden opportunity to reclaim an industry worth £6.3 billion to the UK economy.

After addressing UKIP members – including prospective parliamentary candidate for Waveney, Bert Poole – and fishing representatives at Hamilton Dock in Lowestoft, Mr Nuttall said: 'UKIP has campaigned for many years on the side of the fishermen, campaigning to get out of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which has been ruinous to these communities.

'The fishing fleets have halved since the 1970s, and in some ways its destroyed communities. People who have had generations of fishermen within their communities have now disappeared – it is heartbreaking – but now we have an opportunity to right that wrong,

Eastern Daily Press: UKIP leader Paul Nuttall addresses fishermen and UKIP members in Lowestoft. Pictures; Mick HowesUKIP leader Paul Nuttall addresses fishermen and UKIP members in Lowestoft. Pictures; Mick Howes (Image: Archant)

'What I will say is that you need UKIP MPs in the House of Commons, we need UKIP to be strong to ensure we act as the government's backbone.

'We will shout from the rooftops – these communities need to be protected,' he added.

'What they need is a champion and I can guarantee that UKIP will be the fisherman's friend.'

UKIP fisheries spokesman, Mike Hookem, added: 'Its our waters, our fish, our jobs - we want them back.'

June Mummery, who runs the BFP Eastern fish auctions in Lowestoft, has campaigned to get the UK fishing industry back on the map while also battling to save Lowestoft's fish market.

Speaking after organising the visit to Lowestoft, she said: 'I am thrilled to have got them all here today. We have had a really positive meeting and we will keep fighting for the fishing industry.'

Similar sentiments were shared by Lowestoft fisherman Paul Lines. He said: 'Anyone that can help the fishing industry has to be a friend of the fishermen.'

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Poole added: 'Its been great for Paul and Mike to come to Lowestoft and speak with the fishermen.'