Environmentalists hit out at Nigel Farage for dumping box of dead fish in the Thames in Brexit protest

Environmentalists have hit out at Nigel Farage for dumping a box of dead fish in the Thames as part of a protest against EU regulations.

Mr Farage joined fishermen in throwing a box of haddock into the river in protest after the UK agreed to remain subject to the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy during the upcoming Brexit transition period.

Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and Thames21 criticised the radio host and former UKIP leader for his part in the protest, accusing him of increasing pollution in an "already stressed ecosystem" and saying his "moaning...isn't going to help anyone".

The public demonstration, which took place on Wednesday, descended into farce when arch Brexiteer and Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg was blocked from boarding the trawler by Transport for London.

Debbie Leach CEO of Thames21 said: “The Thames, and all rivers, are delicate ecosystems which need to be respected and protected.

"Rivers are not places to simply dump things, without a second thought: today’s dumping of dead fish in the Thames increases the pollution load on an already stressed ecosystem, which Thames21, and others, work hard to improve.

"It is also a worrying illustration of the significant risk to UK rivers, unless strong environmental legislation is included within the Brexit transition deal, so the government has a duty to ensure this approach is reached.”

Greenpeace UK political adviser Paul Keenlyside told the Standard: "Chucking dead fish in the Thames and moaning about Brussels isn't going to help anyone.

"Farage is right to highlight the difficulties many inshore fishermen are facing, but is laying the blame at the wrong door.

"It's the UK government, not the EU, that decide which boats in the UK fleet get which share of fishing quota.

"And thanks to decades of mismanagement, local fishermen have now access to just 6 per cent of UK fishing rights despite making up over three-quarters of the fleet.

"In 2016, just three companies controlled 61 per cent of all the fishing quota in England. The UK government can redress this imbalance now by using the upcoming Fisheries Bill to give a fairer deal to local, often small-scale fishermen.

"This would benefit coastal communities and the marine environment, regardless of what happens in the Brexit negotiations."

Kierra Box, Brexit campaigner at Friends of the Earth, told the Standard: “Swimming in the Thames in times gone by was foolhardy to say the least, but thanks to EU directives it’s now as clean as it’s ever been.

"After exit day, the UK government will be entirely responsible for the health of our waterways.

"People will wonder how tough the government will be on wilful polluting, especially as this irresponsible action was supported by members of the very same government.

"It’s a stunt today, but what about when pollution happens at scale?”

The Standard approached Mr Farage for comment.