Appointment of British Sea Fisheries Officers

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A decision made 13.03.06 to appoint five Sea Fisheries Officers.

Subject:	Appointment of British Sea Fisheries Officers
Decision Reference:	MD-PE-2006-0016		Exempt clause(s):	n/a
Type of Report: (oral or written)	Written		Person Giving Report (if oral):	n/a
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?	n/a		Report File ref:	L:\Environment Department\15 Ministerial Decisions\02 2006\02 Reports & attachments
Written report – Title	Appointment of British Sea Fisheries Officers (BSFO)
Written report – Author (name and job title)	S.Bossy - Head Fisheries and Marine Resources.
Decision(s): To appoint the following officers as British Sea Fisheries Officers : Dr.SF.Bossy Mr.M.Smith Mr.G.Morel Mr.D.Yettram. Mr.D.A’Court
Reason(s) for decision: To enable appropriate control of fishing in Jersey’s exclusive zone.
Action required: The Environment Division will record these appointments and issue identity cards accordingly
Signature: (Minister)		Date of Decision:

Appointment of British Sea Fisheries Officers

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT

ENVIRONMENT DIVISION

APPOINTMENT OF BRITISH SEA FISHERIES OFFICERS

A item

Purpose of the Report

To recommend that Fisheries Staff are appointed as British Sea Fisheries Officers (BSFO’s)

Background

All sea going Fisheries staff are currently appointed as Jersey Fishery Officers.

It has come to light that certain legislation in force around the Island (notably the stowage of gear order) can only be enforced by BSFO’s . While this legislation has not generally been in use it is now required to control a problem of French Fishing vessel incursion inside the 3 mile exclusive limit.

BSFO’s may be appointed by the Minister under the Sea Fisheries Act 1968 extended to Jersey by the Sea Fisheries (Channel Islands) Order 1973.

Discussion

There have been many attempts to solve the problem of foreign mobile gear boats fishing inside the 3 mile limit. But because they keep a good radar watch and Jersey Officers need to get close enough to prove actual fishing is taking place control under the current legislation has proved almost impossible with the result that certain professional Jersey fishermen have lost substantial amounts of fishing gear to the French.

The French authorities and indeed professional fishermen’s organisations have been asked to assist by senior Jersey politicians and although the French are very supportive they are not able to control individual fishermen who put fishing profit above fishing lawfully.

Therefore the only solution left is to use legislation which demands that all fishing gear is stowed properly while inside Jersey limits. It will be much more difficult for the offending vessels to abide by this legislation and continue to fish illegally and the chances of a conviction are much greater.

Both the French administrative authorities and the French fishermen’s organisations involved are supportive of Jersey’s intended actions.

Recommendation

To appoint the following Jersey Fishery Officers as BSFO’s:

Dr.SF.Bossy

Mr.M.Smith

Mr.G.Morel

Mr.D.Yettram.

Mr.D.A’Court

Written by:	S. F. Bossy

Approved by:	C. Newton

Endorsed by:

Attachments:

[To be listed]

[File Ref]6/7/6

[Date]