The North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority [NWIFCA] has sounded out to its members that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [DEFRA] has called for evidence from the fishing sector, wider fishing community and other relevant stakeholders on the issues of latent capacity in the over-10-metre scallop and shellfish sector fleets, and restrictions in the under-15-metre scallop fleet.
NWIFCA reports that DEFRA is working in close collaboration with the Scallop Industry Consultation Group, the Shellfish Industry Advisory Group and its species-specific sub-groups, to develop future management proposals in the scallop and shellfish sectors. This forms part of a wider programme to enhance government and industry co-operation.
These industry groups have highlighted that scallop and shellfish latent capacity in the over-10-metre fleet and current fishing arrangements for the under-15-metre scallop fleet are areas of policy which should be given further consideration by ministers, with DEFRA now requesting stakeholder evidence to be submitted for scrutiny.
Evidence relating to both issues is to be submitted to DEFRA by August 31, 2021. The providing of evidence will allow ministers to better understand the issues and help inform management approaches.
The North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority has said that the calls for evidence will help collate information around the risks that the two policy areas present to the sustainability of stocks of certain species of fish, including king scallops, crabs, lobsters and crawfish.
The Authority adds that the collation of evidence, will also help better identify challenges the scallop and shellfish fishing sectors are facing, and help the relevant bodies consider future management measures in the scallop and shellfish sector fleets.
Readers involved in the relevant industries who wish to submit evidence to DEFRA can do so here. Responses should be sent by August 31, 2021.
