Spider Crab Fishery Closure 2012

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A decision made 19 July 2012:

Decision Reference: MD-E-2012-0084
Decision Summary Title :	Annual closure of the spider crab fishery		Date of Decision Summary:	18 July 2012
Decision Summary Author:	Marine Resources Section Leader		Decision Summary: Public or 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 :	Annual closure of the spider crab fishery		Date of Written Report:	18 July 2012
Written Report Author:	Marine Resources Section Leader		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: To approve the annual spider crab fishery closure for 2012.
Decision(s): The Chief Minister, acting in pursuance of Regulation 5 of the Sea Fisheries (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Jersey) Regulations 1998, approved the annual spider crab fishery closure commencing at 0001 hours on Saturday 1 September and ending at 2359 hours on Monday 15 October 2012.
Reason(s) for Decision: Due to the moult of the spider crab population in mid-summer, the crabs become unmarketable and can be damaged by fishing effort. Each year the fishery is closed for a period at the request of fisheries organisations from both Jersey and France. The Chief Minister is acting on behalf of the Minister for Economic Development in accordance with Article 27(2)(a) of the States of Jersey Law 2005.
Resource Implications: There are no financial or manpower implications.
Action required: Department officers to organise the insertion of details into the Gazette section of the Jersey Evening Post at least 14 days before the closure.
Signature: Senator Ian Gorst		Position: Chief Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Spider Crab Fishery Closure 2012

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

ANNUAL CLOSURE OF THE SPIDER CRAB FISHERY

(Public)

Purpose of the Report

To authorise a seasonal closure of the spider crab fishery, thereby contributing to a sustainable Island economy which includes a diverse and adaptable fishing industry.

Background

Spider crabs moult in mid-summer and from then until the middle of October they are unmarketable because of their soft shells and low meat content. They are also vulnerable to damage from some forms of fishing activity and do not survive well in storage. Some years ago the professional fishermen’s organisations of Jersey, Normandy and Brittany asked for a closed season during this period and appropriate legislation was enacted.

The dates of this closure are agreed each year at the Joint Advisory Committee Bay of Granville meeting and also apply to French fishermen. For 2012 it has been agreed that the closed season should commence at 0001 hours on Saturday 1 September and end at 2359 hours on Monday 15 October.

Legislative powers for the Minister to close the fishery exist under the Sea Fisheries (Miscellaneous Provisions)(Jersey) Regulations 1998.

This has been occurring for the last 10 years and is at the request of the Fishing Industry. It does not require States debate and the only action is to have a Gazette Notice (copy attached) in the Jersey Evening Post at least 14 days before the event.

Recommendation

The Chief Minister is recommended to approve the closure.

Written by:	Marine Resources Section Leader

Approved by:	Willie Peggie, Director for Environment

Ministerial Decision ref: MD-E-2012-0084