MIKE BOLSWORTH, of Ringmore Road, Shaldon, writes:

This letter has become necessary in an attempt to counter the negative, in fact hostile, attitude of some Teignbridge councillors, in recent weeks to the proposals for a new fish quay in Teignmouth.

The charge issuing from these people that the fishing industry is in decline would suggest that fish consumption in the country is declining.

Now we all know that cannot be true – for many years we have been encouraged to eat more fish because of its high nutritional value.

Teignmouth has been a fishing port for centuries, and could be for many more years if the industry received the support it deserves.

Even though it was the fishermen of Teignmouth who initiated, and raised most of the funding, for the recent feasibility study, their requirements were pushed to the back of the scheme behind Teignbridge Council's own grandiose, and somewhat unrealistic, plans.

The scheme put forward by members of the TFWA will make a huge difference to the fishing industry in Teignmouth.

With an extended quay boats will be able to berth at most states of the tide. There will also be a cold store and ice production facilities, both of which are, at the moment, only available in Brixham.

The majority of members of the TFWA feel that some Teignbridge officers and councillors are not being straight and open in their dealings, publicly they give their support,but behind closed doors things are somewhat different.

It is clear that some of them have a very different agenda, an agenda that doesn't include assisting the fishermen of Teignmouth to secure the future for themselves and their children.