bag limits

[barry luxton]

Jersey this time, they tried it in alderney a couple of years ago, following consultation there it came to nothing fortunatly, now it's jersey's turn. Pr@ts. The blokes who have drafted this are in cloud cookoo land as it does absolutly nothing to promote turism to the island. Within it i note restriction on dived scalloping, Whats that got to do with conservation? It may help prevent the selling by the back door by unlicenced fishermen. It doesn't do anything for back door selling by licenced commercial. Is it fair to legislate against all rsa for one percieved issue. Fair? Gill tagging regarding the bass issue would have more effect surly. They are mad. I note that there are saying that this new proposed regulation has unanimous support across all of the angling and fishing authority on the island. Really? More Lies or we don't want the no doubt lonely angling rep moving over here, he's been got at. Unlicenced fishermen, this is trying to target, but all rsa will be legislated against. Yet i assume jersey is the same as us and there is already laws in place to counter selling of this nature. If they can't police with what laws they already have, what hope with new ones. It's all a load of busters. They also recon that licences are avalible, really and by whom. I note that it has taken upto four years with this draft, kept some paper shufflers in work i suppose, at the expense of the ratepayers no doubt.

 

DRAFT SEA FISHERIES (BAG LIMITS) (JERSEY) REGULATIONS 200-

 

REPORT

 

Background

 

Drafting work commenced on these Regulations in 2006, and in April 2007 the Minister approved that they be sent to the UK for the Secretary of State’s approval. Under the terms of the Jersey/UK Fisheries Management Agreement and in compliance with the Sea Fisheries (Jersey) Law 1994, it is necessary for the Island to obtain such approval before introducing most fisheries Regulations.

 

Further amendments were subsequently made to the Draft Regulations to include a provision for exemptions, and to take into account comments made by the UK. Following a Ministerial Decision made in July 2008, the present draft was again submitted for the Secretary of State’s approval. That approval has now been obtained.

 

Impact on Jersey fisheries

 

The benefit of Regulations setting restrictions on the number of fish or shellfish that may be caught by recreational fishermen – “bag limits” – has long been recognised, both locally and elsewhere. Local recreational scallop divers have been restricted in the number of scallops they may take, since such activity became legal over 10 years ago. In Brittany and Normandy, low water fishermen have been restricted in the number of ormers they may take for many years.

 

Whilst it is recognised that limiting the number of ormers caught is a conservation measure to protect stocks which are still recovering after a disease, limiting numbers of lobster and bass targets the illegal sale of fish and shellfish by non-licensed fishermen. The fishing industry has called on the Department to introduce legislation which would effectively prevent the sale of “black” fish which results in a reduction in the market price. The Sea Fisheries and Marine Resources Advisory Panel, which has on it leading members from commercial fishing, leisure fishing, angling and fish farming, is unanimous in its support of this measure.

 

Jersey’s fish populations may be exploited by 2 main groups of people: the professional fishermen who have purchased a fishing licence, and the amateur or leisure fishermen. Leisure fishermen are not permitted to sell their catch caught in local waters from a vessel that does not have a fishing licence; however, because certain species attract a high value if sold (in particular lobster and bass), some unscrupulous individuals that do not have a fishing licence for their vessel are tempted to catch more than they need for themselves and sell the surplus catch.

 

At present, professional fishermen have either a shellfish qualified licence which allows them unlimited catches of shellfish, or are only allowed to fish for 15 lobsters and 25 crabs per day. No such restriction exists for leisure fishermen, and this legislation would rectify the disparity. The bag limits in the proposed legislation make generous allowance for leisure fishermen fishing for their own consumption.

 

This legislation serves to limit retention of the named species of fish and shellfish by non-licensed fishermen to a reasonable amount; 20 ormers per person per day, 5 bass per person per day and 5 lobsters per person or boat per day (whilst an individual fisherman may retain up to 5 lobsters, 3 fishermen on one boat would be restricted to a total of 5 lobsters).

 

Although the majority of recreational fishermen would support the introduction of bag limits, some objections may be raised to this legislation by those who see the measure as a denial of a source of income. Fishermen catching bass from the shore using rod and line, set nets and longlines may currently sell an unlimited number of bass as there is no requirement for them to hold a fishing licence. Whilst some such individuals may see a reduction in income derived from this source, the Regulations allow the Minister to exempt some fishermen who can demonstrate a genuine record of commercial activity (a separate Ministerial Decision will be taken in relation to any such exemptions). It is likely, however, that the principal objectors will be those anglers working from unlicensed fishing boats who will no longer be able to sell significant quantities of bass, and indeed it is the aim of this legislation to deny them that illegal income.

 

The existence of bag limits for bass would contribute to the increase in angling tourism as it would underline the importance to the Island of efficient management of the fishery.

 

The legislation denies no-one the right to fish. Fish caught in excess of the bag limit can be put back into the sea or, if fishermen wish to sell their catch and legalise their activity, licences are available for them to buy.

Edited April 28, 2009 by barry luxton

[Steve Coppolo]

Although the majority of recreational fishermen would support the introduction of bag limits

 

Oh dear, here we go again. Where on earth do they get information like this? That line reminds me of Roskilly's infamous 'discussion' paper on MPA's.

[barry luxton]

Oh dear, here we go again. Where on earth do they get information like this? That line reminds me of Roskilly's infamous 'discussion' paper on MPA's.

 

Notice i was very carefull in saying within the authority so they either have a 'mole' or as i said, he's been got at (singular). You can't use Leon for blame on this one can you.

 

What makes me puke is where is the evidence that they base this on. it don't exist. Let them prove it. It's all busters.

[Elton]

Bag limits are a great idea.

 

If somebody can just clear it with my wife, mortgage company and every other bugger I have to fend off on a daily basis for me to go fishing five times a week, then I'm all for them.

 

Until then, stick your bag limits up your jacksie!

[barry luxton]

Until then, stick your bag limits up your jacksie!

 

Any chance someone might just persuade you to change your mind?

[Elton]

Any chance someone might just persuade you to change your mind?

 

Yeah, I could be persuaded to use the word 'farter' instead of 'jacksie'.

[Steve Coppolo]

Yeah, I could be persuaded to use the word 'farter' instead of 'jacksie'.

 

I thought you were supposed to be camping?

[Steve Coppolo]

What makes me puke is where is the evidence that they base this on. it don't exist. Let them prove it. It's all busters.

 

All it takes, Barry, is one person saying all the wrong things, to all the wrong people. As we have seen with stupid proposals like the RSA strategy, for example, and all that's contained within it.

[Leon Roskilly]

Recieved from the American Recreational Fishing Alliance:

 

Conservation Group Offers "Freedom to Fish" To Highest Bidder

 

New Management Approach Would Sell Off Recreational Access

 

 

Galloway, NJ - In what can best be described as a "pay to play" version of fisheries management, the Texas-based conservation group, Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), has gone on record with a new socialized approach to managing the nation's coastal fisheries, whereby access to the resource is offered to the highest bidder. According to Dr. Russ Nelson, Fisheries Consultant for CCA, a "free market-based approach to managing red snapper and other marine fishes" could create individual fishing quotas (IFQ) for the recreational fishing community, the same as commercial fishermen.

 

"IFQ programs have demonstrated some success in controlling commercial fisheries, but restrict access by the general public and necessitate difficult allocation decisions," Nelson said in a CCA discussion paper delivered to the Gulf Council on April 10. Citing current discard mortality problems within the recreational sector, particularly with regard to the red snapper fishery, Nelson said "We are facing new, stricter control measures to assure that our annual catch doesn't exceed the allowable level, and the recreational sector remains without an accurate means of counting the fish we catch."

 

CCA's proposed "free market-based approach" would issue individual, non-reusable tags for red snapper to account for the total allowable catch during an annual cycle. The tags would be issued for public auction every year, and those members of the public who wish to catch red snapper would make bids on the available fish tags. "Let anyone who so desires to place their best bid and distribute to the highest bidders," Nelson's paper stated, "bidders could be individuals, states or organizations."

 

Tags would remain on individual fish until cooked and consumed, whether in a residential home or at a seafood restaurant, which CCA explains will allow all fishermen who gain access to the tags to do with the fish what they please. "Those who buy the tags can used them any way they desire - take the fish home and eat it, give them as Christmas presents, sell them, take their fish to a market and sell them," the CCA paper continued.

 

The authors of the discussion paper explain that the current method of surveying recreational anglers through the Marine Recreational Fishing Statistical Survey (MRFSS) could be eliminated, since only anglers possessing tags would be allowed to fish for regulated species like red snapper, and only a certain allotment of tags would be issued during any given cycle. "It is simple and arguably the most fair and equitable approach. Every one - anglers, commercial harvesters, seafood processors, investors and conservationists would have the same opportunity to access the resource," the CCA paper added.

 

Many members of the recreational fishing community fear the proposal, if put into policy, would take the common man out of fishing. "We think it is bad policy to rest fishing rights in a select few," said Jim Hutchinson, Jr. Managing Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA). "Such a proposal would create a fishing elite to the exclusion of the American fishing public."

 

"Together with marine reserves, this plan, if implemented, would completely eliminate open-access fishing in America," Hutchinson added. "Hopefully, the Gulf Council can squash this idea before it gains any credibility within fisheries management circles."

 

"We do not intend that our natural resources shall be exploited by the few against the interests of the many. Our aim is to preserve our natural resource for the public as a whole, for the average man and the average woman who make up the body of the American people."

- President Theodore Roosevelt.

[glennk]

Recieved from the American Recreational Fishing Alliance:

 

 

So how is this relevant ?