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Several hundred people from Plymouth and Rame Peninsula crammed into a primary school hall last night and hotly debated the proposal for a no-tale zone to protect and nurture marine life in Whitsand Bay.

Extreme views were expressed for and against the potential fishing ban in the proposed marine conservation area, which could stretch all the way along the Whitsand coastline.

Angry commercial fisherman and anglers, who fear a loss of livelihood and recreational pleasure, called for all proposals ‘to be thrown out the window’. Divers, marine scientists and council officials claimed the future of fishing depended upon the construction of no-take zones.

The public consultation meeting at Fourlanesend Primary School was organised by Cornwall County Council’s Environment and Heritage Service in order to distribute a questionnaire giving people an opportunity to express their support, concerns or objections to a number of options for the area.

The deadline for responses is November 30, when they will be collated and used to determine the way forward.

Natural Environment Service Manager for Cornwall County Council Steve Crummay said: "There are six options for people to agree or disagree with or suggest alternatives to. Cornwall County Council wants to know what people think and we urge people to fill in the questionnaires and give us their views.

Proposals range from a complete no-take zone from the sea by boat, diving, snorkelling or anyone, running from Rame Head to Portwinkle harbour, to no change.

None of the options includes a ban on shore angling but a voluntary catch-and-release policy was suggested.

The no-take zone could be voluntary, similar to the one in force around St Agnes, but Cornwall County Council says it has not seen 100 per cent compliance there.

If necessary, a statutory and permanent ban could be put in force, so as well as self-policing by fisherman, divers and anglers there could be enforcement by the Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

But Edwin Derriman, Chief Fisheries Officer of Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee, emphasised that no law would be enforced without ‘absolute approval from local people’. He said: "It would only happen if the majority of people want it".

At last night’s meeting the majority fiercely opposed any change to the current situation, many claiming it a ‘commercial venture’ designed to benefit divers and the National Marine Aquarium, not them.

John Lentell’s Cawsand family have fished in Whitsand Bay waters for several generations. He said: "Local fishermen make their living in Whitsand. Where will they go? Nobody objects to a small conservation zone around the wrecks but if the whole bay is blocked off it would cause a hardship for a lot of local people. Diving doesn’t pay the wages of the local fishermen."

Angling Photo Journalist Mike Millman was cheered when he said: " This is a non-starter from the beginning. Nothing was suggested before this over-hyped piece of junk (the Scylla) was dumped on the sea bed. This is nothing but a commercial venture that couldn’t care less about how anglers feel. It would ruin the future of angling."

Diving activity in Whitsand Bay has trebled following the scuttling of HMS Scylla to create northern Europe's first artificial reef and the National Marine Aquarium, along with local divers and the County Council, hope that a Marine Sanctuary would enhance biodiversity  increasing the opportunities for scientific research, education and recreation and bringing tourist money into the region.

A spokesperson from the National Marine Aquarium said that a no-take zone would have knock-on benefits. He said: "You won’t get decent fishing without healthy fish stocks."

But a Cornwall County Cornwall report outlining the proposals, included at last nights meeting, does make it clear there is no evidence that the zone would improve fisheries.

It reads "no area in UK waters has been closed long enough or monitored rigorously enough to be able to conclusively demonstrate that fisheries benefit in this country"

Fisherman and fishing gear suppliers fear closing the Bay will hit them and have vowed to fight the proposals.

Local inshore fisherman Jack Baker said "a lot of inshore fisherman rely on the are. Conservation areas should be put further out to sea and not in small areas like the one proposed"

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