Maximum number of pot tags for fishing vessels: Reduction

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A decision made on 17 June 2016:

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2016-0083
Decision Summary Title :	Reduction in the maximum number if pots tags issued to fishing vessels		Date of Decision Summary:	31 May 2016
Decision Summary Author:	Assistant Director – Marine Resources		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Reduction in the maximum number if pots tags issued to fishing vessels		Date of Written Report:	31 May 2016
Written Report Author:	Assistant Director – Marine Resources		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Reduction in the maximum number if pots tags issued to fishing vessels
Decision(s): The Minister approved the reduction in the maximum number of pot tags issued to a commercial fishing vessel
Reason(s) for Decision: The Minister has accepted the recommendation of the Jersey Fishermen’s Association, endorsed by the Marine Resources Panel to reduce the maximum number of tags issues to any one vessel. The measure is part of ongoing management to ensure marine resources are exploited sustainably.
Resource Implications: There are no financial or resources implications of this decision.
Action required: MR Officers implement the issue of pot tags to commercial vessels with a maximum limit of 1000 tags per vessel.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Environment
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Maximum number of pot tags for fishing vessels: Reduction

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Reduction in the maximum number of pot tags issued to fishing vessels.

Purpose of the Report

For the Minister to approve the reduction in the maximum number of pot tags that can be issued to fishing vessels.

Background

Under the Sea Fisheries (Miscellaneous Provisions)(Jersey) Regulations 1998 it is a requirement for all commercial vessels fishing with pots designed to fish for shellfish are tagged with an approved tag issued by the appropriate Authority.

The number of pot tags that can be issued to a vessel depends on length with a minimum and maximum number also in place. The current maximum number of pot tags that can be issued to a fishing vessel is 1500.

Discussion

At a recent EGM of the Jersey Fishermen’s Association (JFA), members voted to recommend a reduction in the maximum number of pot tags that could be issued to any one vessel from 1500 pots to 1000 pots.

This recommendation was considered by the Marine Resources Panel at the meeting on the 21st March 2016. The Panel agreed with the JFAs recommendation.

The JFA also requested a derogation to be put in place for those vessels currently fishing over the 1000 pots to be allowed to continue to fish the number of pots that the vessel is currently fishing for the duration of the period the tags are valid. The current tags are valid until July 2017. Any new vessel will be limited to 1000 pots immediately. The Panel agreed with the JFA’s request for a derogation for these vessels.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Minister approves the reduction in the maximum number of pot tags that can be issued to a vessel and the derogation for those vessels fishing excess of 1000 pots until July 2017.

Written by:	Assistant Director Marine Resources

Approved by:	Director for EMRE