It’s not every day you see an MP on-board a fishing boat.

But Damian Collins, the MP for Folkestone and Hythe, swapped parliament for one day to learn about the fishing trade and the uncertain future it faces.

He was taken out on the FE20 Valentine from Folkestone Harbour by fishermen Terry Noakes and his son, skipper Luke Noakes, yesterday.

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They took Mr Collins for a trip in the Channel, in what was a regular day at sea.

Mr Collins observed the regime and was shown how the boat operates - and how much fish can be caught due to restricting quotas imposed by the EU.

Father-of-three, Mr Noakes said: “It was a good day, we even saw porpoises but I told him there was no extra cost for dolphin watching.

“I don’t know any other MP in the last 25 years that has been on a fishing vessel, it was good that he took the time out to see what we do.

“I explained everything to him as we went through the course of the fishing trip.

“Hopefully we will be able to persuade the minister for DEFRA to come and see us on our own turf.”

Mr Collins did not experience a choppy ride, as the sea remained calm throughout.

The Tory MP said: “I wanted to see how the fishermen fish, and they do it sustainably.

“The best way to really understand is to see for yourself, and I got a much better understanding from yesterday.

“There are certain issues we are taking up with the environment department, and now one of the things I want to look at is what they want to see from a new regime.”

Mr Collins said that as the country begins the Brexit process, that fishermen will need to have an input on how the seas are regulated.

It is also hoped that the introduction of a permit scheme in Hythe Bay, created by fishermen and Mr Collins will work to help the future of fishing for generations.

It could stop bigger boats from entering but allow small boats to still get their catch within those waters.