Fisherman: Financial Support to Update Electronic Equipment

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A decision made 23 October 2015:

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2015-0060
Decision Summary Title :	Authorise financial support for fishermen to update electronic equipment		Date of Decision Summary:	6 October 2015
Decision Summary Author:	Director EMRE		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?(State clauses from Code of Practice booklet	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Authorise financial support for fishermen to update electronic equipment		Date of Written Report:	6 October 2015
Written Report Author:	Director EMRE		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Authorise financial support for fishermen to update electronic equipment
Decision(s): The Minister approved the authorisation of financial support of £10k for fishermen to upgrade specific electronic equipment.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Minister, mindful of the legal requirement to install certain items of electronic monitoring and reporting equipment and the availability of Government funds to cover costs in other neighbouring jurisdictions, has decided similar support is appropriate for local vessels.
Resource Implications: There is a one-off financial implication being the cost of the financial support totalling £10k.
Action required: Director EMRE to facilitate the release of funds
Signature:		Position: Minister for Planning and Environment
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Fisherman: Financial Support to Update Electronic Equipment

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Authorisation of financial support to fishermen to update electronic equipment

Purpose of the Report

For the Minister to approve the authorisation of financial support for fishermen to update electronic equipment.

Background

The management of fisheries in Jersey Territorial Waters is discharged under various agreements with neighbouring jurisdictions. The Fisheries Management Agreement with the UK sets in out the requirements for inter alia, the licensing arrangement between Jersey and the UK and the management of quota stocks. Part of the requirement for the management of quotas species is the use of various items of electronic equipment for the monitoring and reporting of catches by those vessels targeting quotas species.

Discussion

A small number of Jersey vessels target quota stocks and therefore are required to have on board electronic systems that monitor, record and report location and catches of fish to a central monitoring hub. It is a legal requirement for vessel to have an operational system that provides these data. Jersey vessels have the required equipment but it will shortly become redundant as the system is being upgraded and existing systems will no longer work. There is a window of time when old equipment will work but after that period vessel will not be able to fish unless the upgrade is operational.

In neighbouring jurisdictions various financial instruments are in operation whereby fishermen can apply for funds to cover costs incurred by fishermen in upgrading these systems. Given the fact that these fishermen are subject to the same legal framework and are landing catch into the same markets, some financial support is needed to ensure a level playing field is in place.

There are only two vessels in the fleet that require this equipment. The cost per vessel is approximately £5k.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Minister approves the authorisation of financial support of £10k to fishermen to update electronic equipment.

Written by:	Director EMRE

Approved by: