THE industry that Morecambe was built on - mussel and shrimp fishing- is about to die. So say fishermen disappointed at 'losing' their £1.2m compensation claim at a Lands Tribunal this week.

Nine mussel fishermen were claiming the money against the city council and the Ministry for Agriculture Food and Fisheries. The claim was for the loss of their livelihoods caused by Morecambe's £15m sea defence work which destroyed the sea crop.

They were forced to settle for the cash (between £180,000-£260,000) they had received as an interim compensation payment three years ago and legal costs.

Their case was due to be heard by a tribunal in Lytham but, because of a technicality, the fishermen were told that the tribunal chairman would be unable to make any valuation.

That meant that if they had gone ahead they would have been left with nothing at all. And, because they agreed to the tribunal in the first place, taking their case to court is not allowed.

Morecambe fisherman for all his working life Vic Langley was dismayed by the development.

He fumed: "We've been left with nowhere to go. That money we got was years ago and we've been living on nothing since then.

As it is I'd be better off on the dole than going to work. There's only a part time future in the industry here now. We spent years building it up.

"There's only 25 per cent of what there was and unless the council keep that just for local crews that will soon be gone as well. The writing is on the wall for the Morecambe fishing industry which dates back to medieval times. There's also the effect on the whole sea environment this has had to think about."

Another fisherman, Craig Worthington, was relieved to have at least received costs and stressed he hoped to work with the council in future. But he explained: "We feel we haven't had what we've lost. It's been very hard on our families. I had hoped my 18-year-old son would follow me into fishing but we're just working for the sake of it now."

A statement issued by the council said the agreement will see the fishermen receive the council's original offer of compensation together with costs to cover their legal expenses.

Councillor Geoff Knight, chairman of the transportation and coast protection sub-committee said: "I am sorry that the mussel fishermen have suffered but hope that this agreed compensation can go some way to relieving their loss."

MAFF will pay 75 per cent of costs and compensation and the council will pay the rest.

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