Marine Resources consultation launched

05 July 2013

The Economic Development (EDD) and Environment departments have launched a three-month consultation on a Marine Resources Strategy, to find out what Islanders think of 45 recommendations to protect Jersey’s seas.

The strategy contains a range of proposals on how the Island can protect its seas for the long term, while also supporting the needs of Jersey’s commercial and leisure users.

First step

The consultation is a first step towards a comprehensive plan to protect and care for Jersey’s marine environment and follows a recommendation by the Economic Affairs Scrutiny sub-panel report that Jersey’s marine and fisheries industry ‘warrants its own comprehensive strategy’. EDD and Environment want to hear the views of all Islanders and particularly those who use the sea and beaches.

Proposals

The proposals include the promotion of more productive, sustainable and better managed fishing and aquaculture industries so they can continue to grow and provide employment.

Key proposals cover the following areas:

• economic development of the fishing industry
• support for new entrants to the fishing industry
• sustainable development of the aquaculture sector
• recreational fishing
• managing shared resources fairly for the long term
• development of marine spatial planning*
• research and monitoring
• international affairs

Cherish the sea

The Minister of the Environment Department, Deputy Rob Duhamel said "People in Jersey cherish the sea and beach life; swimmers, sailors, anglers, commercial shippers, surfers, kayakers, beach goers, we all use and value it. But to keep our sea clean and abundant, we need to protect it, so we need to get the balance right between current use for commercial and leisure users, and future sustainability.

"People will have strong views about commercial and leisure fishing, renewable energy possibilities, local stocks, and territorial waters agreements. We want to take those views into account before we publish firm proposals."

The consultation continues until Friday 27 September.