Permission to advertise new application for fish farming concession.

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A decision made (12/04/2006) regarding publication of draft fish farm concession application.

Subject:	Publication of draft fish farm concession application
Decision Reference:	MD-PE-2006-0045		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:\AAF\Fisheries\Scientific \Aquaculture\La Rocque Oysters
Written report – Title	Permission to advertise new application for fish farming concession
Written report – Author (name and job title)	Greg Morel – Fisheries Officer R & D.
Decision(s): Approve publication of draft fish farm concession.
Reason(s) for decision: The Minister is responsible for the issue of fish farming licences on the seabed under the Sea Fisheries (Establishment and Regulations of Fisheries)(Jersey) Regulations 1998. The regulation states that an application should be published in the Evening Post Gazette on at least two occasions, to allow comments to be received from the general public. The application was considered by the Fisheries and Marine Resources Advisory Panel on 8 March 2006 and the Panel agreed to recommend to the Minister that the application be published in the Gazette in draft subject to the conditions suggested. After publication the Department will assess the replies then advise the Minister accordingly.
Action required: Greg Morel to organise publication of draft fish farm concession in Gazette.
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)		Date of Decision: 12 April 2006

Permission to advertise new application for fish farming concession.

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT

Advertise new application for fish farming concession

Purpose of the Report

The Minister is responsible for the issue of fish farming licences on the seabed under the Sea Fisheries (Establishment and Regulations of Fisheries)(Jersey) Regulations 1998.

Background

The above regulation specifies that if the Minister is in agreement a concession application must be presented in a set format. The regulation states that an application should be published in the Jersey Evening Post Gazette on at least two occasions, to allow comments to be received from the general public. If comments are received they are then put before an independent arbitrator. The Minister then reviews the application in light of public opinion which is vetted by the independent arbitrator.

Discussion

An application for a fish farm concession was received from Mr D Le Masurier of La Rocque Fisheries (Application attached). La Rocque Fisheries is a well established fish farming business and is one of the largest on the Island. The current application consists of two parts. First is the acquisition of a new area on the beach for the farming of oysters in the Royal Bay of Grouville. Second, the consolidation of areas currently held as concessions by reduction of some concession areas to fulfil current use and to consolidate the concessions held in the Royal Bay of Grouville to form one main bed. The changes will represent a reduction in area of approximately 2.5 hectares. After careful consideration the Panel agreed to recommend to the Minister that the application be published in the Gazette in draft to allow for comments from the General Public. In light of concerns expressed by some members, the Panel recommended that Officers ensure full utilisation of the site before any further concessions area would be considered.

The Receiver General has been consulted and has no comment to make with respect to the application.

A Planning Application has been submitted to the Planning Division and is currently being processed.

Recommendation

The Minister is asked to endorse the view of the Fisheries and Marine Resources Panel and approve the publication of the application for a fish farm concession in draft and approve the conditions suggested by the Panel.

Written by:	Greg Morel, Fisheries Officer – Research & Development