A NORTH Yorkshire communications agency has expanded its maritime division after being appointed by a European fishing industry trade body.

Acceleris, based in Harrogate, has been signed up by Brussels-based Europêche, which champions the interests of 45,000 vessels and 80,000 fishermen across the EU.

Europêche, officially the Association of National Organisations of Fishing Enterprises in the European Union, represents 16 fishing organisations from ten European countries.

Acceleris will develop a campaign to enhance the profile of the European fishing industry as an economically and socially sustainable sector that plays an increasingly vital role in the growing world demand for a healthy food.