The region’s MEP Jonathan Arnott was present at the Fish Quay at the city’s harbour along with the the party’s three candidates for Sunderland, activists and fishermen.
“UKIP have always shown great support for our fishermen and we have held a number of talks with them. Our national Fisheries spokesman, Ray Finch, has been up three times to North Shields, Blyth, New Biggin, Hartlepool and Alnmouth.
“It is an on going movement right across the North East and the fishermen fully support UKIP who are fighting their corner. It is an issue close to our hearts,” said Mr Arnott, who addressed the throng from a fishing boat awaiting repairs on the quayside, which like others had hoisted a UKIP flag.
Aileen Casey, UKIP’s parliamentary candidate for Washington and Sunderland West spoke of her anger that the fleet in Sunderland, once about 100 strong, has been decimated following the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy.
“Please join us and get our fishing fleet back,” she urged.
Local fisherman Norman Shaw told how EU fishing quotas have devastated the industry and rules and regulations, both local and international, have driven many fishermen to give up their trade.
He also told how the off shore wind farm at Blyth is causing further problems because of an exclusion zone.
UKIP is fighting to help the country’s fishing fleets and is strenuously opposed to wind farms, both on and off shore, as being inefficient and adding to energy bills.
