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A decision made (05/06/2006) regarding Fish Farm Concession - Renewed Act of Authorisation.

Subject:	Fish Farm Concession – Renewed Act of Authorisation
Decision Reference:	MD-PE-2006-0067		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:	6/9/21
Written report – Title	Fish Farm Concession – Renewed Act of Authorisation
Written report – Author (name and job title)	Greg Morel - Fisheries Officer – R & D.
Decision(s): To approve renewed Act of Authorisation for 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. La Rocque Fisheries have requested a renewal, with amendments, to the Act of Authorisation to allow for the farming of oysters. The request was considered by the Fisheries and Marine Resources Panel on 8 March 2006. After consideration, the Panel agreed to recommend to the Minister that the Act of Authorisation be renewed with the amendments proposed.
Action required: Fisheries Officers to prepare Act of Authorisation and forward to concession holder.
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)		Date of Decision: 5 June 2006

Fish Farm Concession - Renewed Act of Authorisation.

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT

Renewal of 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

In June 2000 the then Agriculture and Fisheries Committee, in pursuance of the Sea Fisheries (Establishment and Regulation of Fisheries)(Jersey) 1998, authorised La Rocque Fisheries Ltd to cultivate oysters for a period of six years in intertidal concessions. That Act of Authorisation is shortly to expire and La Rocque Fisheries Ltd have requested its renewal.

Discussion

An application for renewal of the Act of Authorisation 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 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, which has already been approved by the Minister.

Second was the renewal of the Act of Authorisation, to include 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 Act of Authorisation be renewed. 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.

Recommendation

The Minister is asked to endorse the view of the Fisheries and Marine Resources Panel and approve the renewal of the Act of Authorisation.

Written by:	Greg Morel – Fisheries Officer – Research and Development

Approved by:	Chris Newton, Director of Environment Department

Endorsed by:

Attachments:

Application from La Rocque Fisheries Ltd

01.06.06

File ref:6.9.21

Ministerial Decision Case Ref:0067