THE owners of three boats from a North-East fishing fleet have been awarded Government grants to break up the vessels and hand back their licences.
It is part of a scheme to address over-capacity in the industry.
The boats, from North Shields, are among 30 English fishing vessels that have qualified for decommissioning aid this year. The voluntary scheme requires recipients to break up their boats and hand in their licences.
Fisheries Minister Elliot Morley said: "These payments are a real contribution to a long-term future for sea fisheries."
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