Amendment to fish farm authorisation

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A decision made (12.04.2006) to approve an amendment to a fish farm concession.

Subject:	Amendment to fish farm authorisation
Decision Reference:	MD-PE-2006-0048		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:	6/9/24
Written report – Title	Amendment to fish farming concession authorisation
Written report – Author (name and job title)	Greg Morel – Fisheries Officer R & D.
Decision(s): Approve amendment to fish farm concession authorisation to enable the concession holder to farm ormers.
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 concession holder has requested an amendment to his Act of Authorisation to allow for the farming of ormers. The request was considered by the Fisheries and Marine Resources Panel on 8 March 2006 and a site visit was conducted on 29 March 2006. Subsequently, the Panel agreed to recommend to the Minister that the Act of Authorisation be amended subject to the conditions suggested.
Action required: Greg Morel to organise amendment of fish farm concession authorisation.
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)		Date of Decision:

Amendment to fish farm authorisation

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT

Amendment to fish farming concession authorisation

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

On the 8 March 2006 the Fisheries and Marine Resources Panel considered a request from Mr T Legg to amend the Act of Authorisation for his concession to allow for the farming of ormers (Haliotis tuberculata). The current Act of Authorisation allows for the cultivation of oysters and clams.

Discussion

The Panel considered a detailed report from Mr T Legg concerning an ormer hatchery and on-growing operation using his existing fish farming concession. The hatchery part of the operation would occur in an onshore facility with the on-growing achieved on the beach at Green Island. Mr Legg currently has permission for the farming of oysters and clams. Whilst the Panel were, in principal, very supportive of diversification into new species some issues were raised by Panel members concerning the historical use of the site and complaints by members of the Public. In light of this, the Panel undertook a site visit on the 29 March 2006. After the visit and discussions with the applicant the Panel agreed to recommend to the Minister that the change to the Act of Authorisation be approved subject to the following conditions. Any redundant ironmongery must be removed as soon as practicably possible and that the fish farming operation must be underway within 12 months.

Recommendation

The Minister is asked to endorse the view of the Fisheries and Marine Resources Panel and approve the amendment to the fish farm concession Act of Authorisation and approve the conditions suggested by the Panel.

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