Fisheries Management - Public Consultation

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to build on the consultation process which began with a public meeting on 24th June 2010. At that meeting nearly 100 people from many sectors, including those from outside Alderney, were given the opportunity to express their views as part of a review of commercial and recreational fishing in the island’s waters. That meeting was convened to listen to the views of those directly or indirectly involved with fishing, following which a consultation document would be produced to further seek the views of the public though open consultation.

It is acknowledged that not everyone had the opportunity to put across their views at the public meeting. This part of the consultation gives that opportunity to everyone who would like to have their views taken into account.

Timing

This part of the process is designed to ensure that the States of Alderney has the best prospect of defining and improving the proposals, leaving sufficient time for appropriate action to be taken in the interests of all concerned. Responses should be sent to the Consultation Co-ordinator, States of Alderney, PO Box 1, Alderney, Channel Islands GY9 3AA, by 31 August 2010.  Contributions received after that day may not be considered.

Who is being consulted?

The list of those consulted directly is attached at the end of this document. The paper will be freely available on the States of Alderney website at this page (www.alderney.gov.gg/Fisheries-Consultation) and announced in local press.

How do I contribute?

The easiest way to contribute is to provide your views in writing, either in hard copy, hand written (clearly please!) or typed, or e-mailed to states@alderney.gov.gg, please include the word ‘consultation’ in the subject line.

This document asks a number of questions about specific topics and your views on these would be welcome. However, you need not confine your replies to the matters outlined here. Any reasonable view will be taken into account.

What are you going to do next?

All responses will be carefully and open-mindedly analysed, and the results made widely available, with an account of the views expressed, and the reasons for decisions finally taken. We will be producing a set of proposals for debate by the General Services Committee and, where necessary, the Policy and Finance Committee.

Why are you undertaking this consultation exercise?

Over many months there have been many views expressed about the state of the Alderney fishing industry both commercial and recreational. The issue of conservation is of utmost importance and the States of Alderney are keen to ensure that all sectors directly and indirectly involved in the debate are given their opportunity to put forward evidence which supports their point of view. The marine environment is a shared resource and the aim here is to support a fishing sector that is sustainable and profitable and supports the local community, managed effectively as part of a range of policies for the marine environment.

The following questions have been formulated following the public meeting. If you are making a statement it should be supported by as much evidence as possible. It would be most helpful if you would provide your answer to the following questions:

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TRAWLERS

Following our meeting with fisheries colleagues from other jurisdictions and consideration of fish stocks issue generally it may be considered appropriate to restrict trawling within Alderney’s waters.

QUESTION 1	Do you consider that trawling represents a threat to fish stocks in Alderney’s waters? Please explain your answer.
QUESTION 2	If yes, do you support a ban on trawling in Alderney’s waters?
QUESTION 3	If yes what do you consider to be an appropriate distance from shore, and why?
QUESTION 4	Would you support a ban on all trawling in Alderney’s three mile limit?

MAXIMUM SIZE OF MERCHANT FISHING VESSELS (MFVs)

It appears that all Alderney’s commercial fishing vessels are less than 10m long. It is not only the length of the vessel which dictates how much stock it can catch and there may be a case for restricting the power of the vessel too. Therefore it may be appropriate to limit the size and power of MFVs.

QUESTION 5	Are there good reasons for restricting the size of MFVs, length, power, other factor?
QUESTION 6	Should the size of fishing vessels in general be limited, including charter angling vessels?
QUESTION 7	If yes what do you consider to be reasonable limits.  Please support your answer.
QUESTION 8	Should the size, power etc of the boat be the subject of licensing?

CHARTER ANGLING VESSELS LOG BOOKS AND BAG LIMITS

Some Charter vessels operating in Alderney’s waters are based at various UK ports. At the public meeting there was a generally held view that log books should be kept on all vessels (not just Commercial vessels as is currently practised) recording location of catch as well as species. Limits must be restrictive in order to achieve their aim. It was further suggested that charter anglers should be required to abide by bag limits. As a result of the meeting there may be a proposal which requires all vessels to keep accurate log books and for Charter anglers to be restricted in their catch to bag limits.

QUESTION 10	Should this requirement to keep log books be extended to all recreational boat anglers?
QUESTION 11	Should charter anglers be restricted in their catch by bag limits?
QUESTION 12	Should these limits be extended to all recreational boat anglers?
QUESTION 13	If yes (to questions 11 and 12) what should those bag limits be?
QUESTION 14	If yes (to questions 11 and 12) which species should be included?

PROTECTED AREAS

At the public meeting there was limited support for the introduction of protected areas. There is no conclusive evidence to support the view that stocks of Bass, Pollack, Brill and Turbot are declining. The issue is more about maintaining the sustainability of stocks.

QUESTION 15	Should there be protected areas around Alderney where fishing of all types is prohibited?
QUESTION 16	If yes what do you think would be achieved by imposing restrictions in this way?

CLOSED SEASON

The views of the representative groups was divided on this issue. There is no conclusive evidence to support the view that certain species spawn in the waters around Alderney nor that they remain in our waters. Further research might be necessary to support this line.

QUESTION 17	Do you consider that a closed season is required in our waters?
QUESTION 18	If yes why do you consider this to be required?
QUESTION 19	If yes to question 17, for which species and during which periods?

INSHORE NETTING

A number of people have expressed the view that inshore netting has had a negative impact on recreational anglers. In particular it is suggested that inshore netting in the months September to March has had a big impact and may have led to an economic impact on the island. It is acknowledged that further evidence may be required. However, there may be a case for some restrictions in certain areas, namely Platte Saline, the Targets, bays adjacent to the lighthouse and around the Breakwater. It was suggested at the public meeting that UK fishing vessels of much greater fishing capability than those that have previously been engaged in inshore netting around Alderney are preparing to come to Alderney next winter, specifically to net bass inshore.

QUESTION 20	Do you consider that there should be restrictions on inshore netting? Please explain your answer.
QUESTION 21	If yes which areas do you think need to be protected?
QUESTION 22	If yes would it be appropriate to change the protected areas from time to time, and again, which ones?

ANY OTHER ISSUES

QUESTION 23

Are there any other issues that you feel should be taken into account?

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