NEW conservation measures aimed at safeguarding fish stocks could endanger the lives of fishermen, a skipper has warned.

The measures, for the area off Yorkshire Coast, could also mark the demise of the fishing industry, Fred Normandale, chairman of Scarborough Inshore Fishermen's Society, said.

Mr Normandale, and other skippers in the town and at Whitby, told the North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee that trawlers, already hit hard by landing quota cuts, will face an even bigger crisis.

Under the moves planned by the committee, fishing boats of less than 60ft will be subject to more restrictions, either in the size or power of a vessel, or both.

It is also considering extending total prohibited trawling areas and restricting catches of lobsters.

Mr Normandale said: "We have seen a large number of boats decommissioned because of the decline in the industry.

"The committee must consider the safety aspect of driving fishermen who are at sea in all weathers, just to make a living having to go further away from the shelter of land."

He told the committee: "If there is any loss of life or vessel due to men working in areas forced upon them by this proposed legislation, it will be on your heads."

Terry Pearson, managing director of Alliance Fish, said: "The trawling industry is already over-burdened by rules and regulations that dictate where they can fish and what they can catch.

"Any further unnecessary extensions and restrictions will only accelerate the recent decline in the number of vessels that operate on the Yorkshire coast."

He said that many jobs which depend on the fishing industry would be lost on-shore.

Captain Bill Estill, harbourmaster for Scarborough and Whitby, said: "Fish landings in our ports are already reduced significantly following the quota cuts earlier this year.

"There is now concern for the continued viability of the local fishing industry."