Fishing Vessel Licensing: New Entrants Scheme

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A decision made 9 June 2017:

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2017-0052
Decision Summary Title :	Fishing Vessel Licensing - New Entrants Scheme			Date of Decision Summary:	06 June 2017
Decision Summary Author:	Assistant Director – Marine Resources			Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (If Exempt state clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written			Person Giving Oral Report:	n/a
Written Report Title:	Fishing Vessel Licensing - New Entrants Scheme			Date of Written Report:	06 June 2017
Written Report Author:	Assistant Director – Marine Resources			Written Report: Public or Exempt? (If Exempt State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public

Subject: Approval for Fishing Vessel Licensing – New Entrants Scheme
Decision(s): The Minister approved the Fishing Vessel Licensing – New Entrants Scheme and its implementation.
Reason(s) for decision: This scheme will allow for a fishing vessel licence to be loaned to individuals under set criteria to facilitate access to and the development of the industry.
Resource Implications: There are no financial or manpower resources implications.
Action required: Marine Resources Officers to implement the Scheme.
Signature: Deputy S Luce		Position: Minister for Environment
Date Signed:			Date of Decision:

Fishing Vessel Licensing: New Entrants Scheme

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Approval for Fishing Vessel Licensing – New Entrants Scheme

Purpose of the Report

The Minister to approve the Fishing Vessel Licensing – New Entrants Scheme and its implementation.

Background

The Jersey Fishermens’ Association (JFA) and Department of Environment Officers have discussed the concept of a small pool of State owned licences that could be loaned out to new entrants to the industry under set criteria agreed by Government and JFA. This idea was very well supported by all respondents to consultations undertaken by the Department of the Environment into matters relating to the Island’s marine resources. The cost of a licence on top of all the other costs an aspiring fisherman has and can often be the barrier to getting into the industry. The Government of Jersey is supportive of the fishing industry and is keen to see the appropriate systems in place to ensure that new entrants are able to get a footing into commercial fishing.

The Scheme will aim to assist, but at the same time create an incentive for new entrants to make tangible and long term commitment to fishing. Similarly, the practical functioning of the scheme would be reviewed regularly with the objective of ensuring that it is achieving its goals but also importantly, not significantly disadvantaging established fishermen.

Details

The scheme will allow for a small number of suitably qualified and experienced individuals to be loaned a licence for a set period of time and under set criteria to assist in starting out as a vessel owner in the fishing industry. It is not proposed that new licences are created to allow for this pool, which would clearly be in contravention on licensing arrangements, but allocation of kilowatts and tonnage of existing but redundant licences. Marine Resources Officers (MROs) have discussed and agreed the concept and details of the scheme with DEFRA colleagues under the auspices of the Fisheries Management Agreement.

Clearly it is important that there are specific controls are in place in respect of these licences, the most fundamental being the establishment of a Board of two fishermen and two Government representatives plus a chairman to oversee the scheme, to consider applications and to make recommendations to the Minister as to allocation of the new entrant licences. The Board will also make recommendations to the Minister concerning licence conditions if they deem it appropriate under the circumstances.

There will be additional conditions attached to all these licenses concerning where and how long they are valid. All applicants will be made aware of the time limited nature of these licenses and the requirement for them to plan to purchase a licence on the open market after the defined period of time. A support and review process will be put in place to assist new entrants with this transition. There will also be additional catch and logbook reporting requirements for these licenses. This will provide additional data for stock management.

Applicants will apply in writing to the Board with an application form available from Marine Resources offices only, This will allows MROs to have an initial discussion with potential applicants to explain the criteria that apply in considering any applications and the requirements of the scheme.

This system will present an opportunity for a small number of suitably qualified individuals to become full time commercial fishermen without excessive financial burden or barrier by being able to access a licence for a finite period of time.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to approve the Fishing Vessel Licensing – New Entrants Scheme and its implementation.

Written by:	Assistant Director – Marine Resources

Approved by:	Director Environmental Management and Rural Economy

Ministerial Decision Case Ref: MD-PE-2017-0052