Fisheries
Management and Control Team
Marine Management Organisation
Tel: 0191 376 2597
Fax: 0191 376 2681
Email: fmc@marinemanagement.org.uk
Re: Proposed amendments to the current licencing
exemption effecting operators of engineless fishing boats of <10m.
Dear Hubert Gieschen,
Thank you for
taking time to talk to me this morning.
I understand
from Julie Fitton of Defra
that she and her colleagues are currently awaiting advice from yourselves prior to making amendments to bring us in line
with EU policy and that this will result in the termination of the current licence exemption.
With the
watch-word 'sustainability' in mind and, more specifically, our proposal (enclosed); I
write in the hope of influencing your recommendations!
Whilst the news
that the new licences will be issued free of charge
is welcome, we seek further assurance that operators of boats of this
category will not be penalised or face other
additional expenses as a result of your recommendations. For example:
expensive surveys and implementation of impractical legislation that would
result from new requirements to formerly register such boats.
We recognise that the growing use of kayaks is causing concern
in some quarters and that there will be a need to control the take; however, we
are particularly anxious that the use of sail and oar is not penalised or banned simply because it is a 'new'
initiative.
Responsible
stewardship should actively encourage the inefficient methods of
fishing we are proposing. One need look no further
than The Truro Oyster Fishery for a unique example of why this is so.
This fishery has
survived to this day largely because of far-sighted legislation that restricts it's operation to sail and oar. In 1992 an
EEC directive requiring these vessels to register was fought by the Truro Harbour Master, Capt. Andy Brigden
and won, with the intervention of the
prime minister.
Today there are
ever-more compelling reasons for the authorities to adopt a much more
supportive role as regards this small, yet potentially
significant, sustainable sector.
We urge you to ensure that future directives are couched in such a
way as to encourage the development of the use low-impact methods such
as sail and oar in the interests of sustainability.
We hope this
proposal will interest Defra and the Marine
Management authorities and we look forward to receiving your support.
Kind regards
Jonny Nance
secretary
THE ST.IVES JUMBO ASSOCIATION
mobile; 07866777219
www.stivesjumbo.com