ON TUESDAY 24 JULY 2012 AT 2.00 PM
PRESENT:
Mr G.R. Arckless (Chairman), Mr L. Weller (Vice Chairman), Mrs J. Fearon, Mrs C.Hedley, Mrs J Brooker, Messrs D. Ledger, R.J.D. Watkin, D. Herriott, N. Jolliffe, G.W.O. Connell, S. Douglas, D. Lily, M.D. Bould, W. Miller, N.Polunin, S.Ritchie, and M.Hardy (NIFCA Chief Executive).
In attendance as an observer was Mr Allyn Hogg (MMO), as well as Mr M.Kitching (Sea Angling 2012) and Mr A Caveen from Newcastle University and Dr H. Sugden from Dove Marine Laboratory to give presentations.
3.0.The Chairman introduced Councillor D. Lilly the new Authority Member from North Tyneside MBC. The Chairman also welcomed Mr Hogg as an observer from the MMO and Mr Caveen and Dr Sugden before giving their presentations.
3.1.DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
3.1.Mr Watkin confirmed he is a Tweed Commissioner.
3.2.Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J Stephenson, J.Walton, T. Brechany, B. Douglas, Dr C Scott and the Authority’s Administrative Officer Ms P. Richards who was absent due to sickness.
3.2.PRESENTATIONS
3.2.1The first of these was by Dr Heather Sugden from Dove Marine Laboratory about the big Sea Survey. This is looking at the diversity of habitats from St Abbs to Saltburn which includes two European Marine Sites and the Durham Heritage Coast. Despite this there has been up until now no unified organisms data set or sound information on the movement of species. The Survey has recruited over 200 volunteers who have each been looking for 5 species with a view to building up usable, robust and verifiable data. As a result, data has been gathered in abundance and Dr Sugden referred to recent survey work at Beadnell. She said that the survey has noted an increase in biodiversity the further north it goes. The survey has been ongoing for 2½ years and is approaching its final six months. They still hope to put a name to all of the rocks where species are found. They are also hoping to produce the Big Sea Survey Book which will help to guide others after the survey is finished. They also hope to arrange a celebration event at the end of the survey for stakeholders including IFCAs and the MMO but that will be subject to funding. Dr Sugden answered some questions and was thanked for an excellent presentation.
3.2.2Mr Caveen then did a presentation on setting conservation objectives for Marine Protected Areas. He referred to European Policy Drivers particularly the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and OSPAR. He referred to the interface between science and people’s beliefs in developing marine policy. He asked “what do we mean by good environmental status (GES)” and the balance between the recovery of ecosystems and the likes of fishermen getting good returns. It is possible for marine science to overstate the benefits of research and be biased. Social science is also important. There are still a lot of gaps in the decision-making process and arguments that Marine Conservation Zones might not lead to recovery. A top-down approach will not lead to stakeholder buy-in. Amongst comments Mr Bould referred to activity in this region being less intense than it was 30 years ago which is to be contrasted in the finding sanctuary Marine Conservation Zone Area so there should be different criteria.
At this point Mr. Watkin left the meeting.
In response to a question Mr Caveen also confirmed that in his research he is primarily looking at local effects and not the effect of foreign vessels. Mr Ritchie commented that foreign fleets are reduced like local ones are. Mr Caveen said that data from for example California is much better than UK data sets. Mr Bould also commented that some fisheries benefit from being fished for example a nephrop fishery did not exist off these coasts 60 years ago. There was also discussion about “maintain” and “recover” aspects of Marine Conservation Zones and the precautionary approach. Mr Miller referred to the example of an increase in prawns off Greenland because cod had never recovered and there is a need for a happy medium in setting Conservation Zones. Mr Bould expressed concern that despite there being insufficient data for the establishment of Marine Conservation Zones the data gathered still provided a tool which could damage the fishing industry. Martin Kitching was also invited to speak and said that there should have been baselines before the process to establish Marine Conservation Zones commenced.
Mr Caveen was thanked for his very interesting and informative presentation.
3.3.MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS AND MATTERS ARISING THEREFROM
3.3.1.The minutes of the quarterly meeting held on 24 April 2012 were agreed as a true record and there were no matters arising.
3.3.2The minutes of the Scientific & Technical Subcommittee meeting held on 28 May 2012 were agreed as a true record. Mr Miller gave apologies that he could not attend. The Chief Executive gave thanks particularly to Professor Polunin and Dr Scott for their efforts in producing the Authority response and the Chief Executive also confirmed that he was aware of only one other IFCA submitting a response to the consultation on the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and there should be credit to Northumberland because of the importance and complexity of MSFD.
3.4.MEETINGS ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMITTEE
The Chairman confirmed that local Members of Parliament had been invited to visit the patrol vessel and go to sea if they wished. He also confirmed how important these meetings are for the Authority and the one with Mr Lavery had been very good. The Chairman also confirmed Mr Callanan MEP would be visiting the Authority in September, which would mean we had met all 3 current MEPs.
3.5.CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS
3.5.1.The Chief Executive gave the updates upon his report as referred to in the Watch Committee minutes including in respect of the premises in Shankhouse. Mr Ledger understood it might be suitable and the Chief Executive confirmed he would have an initial look with other officers of the Authority and members could also have a viewing if it looked like there was potential there. The Chairman said he was determined that the Authority should not move premises until we have somewhere which is definitely suitable. The Chief Executive stressed that if it was still necessary to instruct Gavin Black and Partners then they would also be able to bring their expertise to bear in working closely with the County Council regarding any suitable premises they may have in the future.
3.5.2Regarding the Association of IFCAs meeting at 3.4.34 the Chairman said this had been challenging and confirmed the Chief Executive had been authorised to write to the Minister on behalf of the Association regarding sentencing guidelines for fisheries cases.
3.6.ANNUAL PLAN AND ANNUAL REPORT UPDATE
This was confirmed by the Chief Executive as referred to in his report at 3.5 with the papers for this meeting.
3.7.BYELAW REVIEW
The Chief Executive referred to the paper which had been sent to members of the then Byelaw Review Subcommittee on 21 June 2012 and that the next step referred to i.e. to contact the MMO would now be taken. At this point Allyn Hogg said he was now dealing with this and the Chief Executive confirmed he would forward the Authority draft review of byelaws document to Mr Hogg.
3.8PROJECTS
3.8.1The Chief Executive outlined the current position in respect of Project Inshore (and that essentially further contact is awaited from the MSC) and Strategic Environmental Assessment where the Chairman confirmed this is such an important matter that the SEA should be proceeded with and that step was moved by the Chairman and approved by the meeting. In response to a question the Chief Executive confirmed £15,000 had been pledged by Natural England and the balance would be approximately £30,000 from IFCA resources although word was still awaited from the Coop as to whether they would also support the project. The Chief Executive also confirmed that members and stakeholders would be invited to a detailed presentation on the project by Mott MacDonald as soon as possible after inception of the SEA.
3.8.2.Projects with Newcastle University
Professor Polunin spoke about these, firstly to say that a number of students are working on the project in respect of lobsters in the area of the Narec district off the coast of Blyth; secondly, he confirmed that Andrew Spencer’s crab project was not yet written up, but hopefully will be by the end of September; thirdly, Professor Polunin referred to the lobster marked release study regarding abundance and said the draft report was with Natural England awaiting approval for release; fourthly regarding the potting intensity survey in the EMS site this is ongoing; fifthly the Sustainable Fishing Plan to contribute to long-term management programmes for the whole range of stocks in the North Sea is focusing on nephrops in the Farne Deeps (outside the NIFCA district); finally Professor Polunin confirmed that the MMO has approved funding re lobster telemetry equipment looking at their movements. Professor Polunin also mentioned the report by Rachel Turner on the lobster fishery in the district from 2008/9. Professor Polunin was thanked for his report.
Mr Ritchie said regarding the Farne Deeps there is deep concern amongst fishermen in the lumping together of 3 separate fisheries as one functional unit which he fears will destroy the industry.
3.9.SEA ANGLING PROJECT 2012
Martin Kitching confirmed this is continuing and the vast majority of people who are approached for the survey are willing to be interviewed and on only one day did rejections exceed cooperation. Mr Kitching continued that one difficulty (and also probably for other IFCAs) is finding private boats to survey, which he feels is because of the weather and hopefully that situation might improve. Mr Bould said he felt the report should emphasise that this has been an unusual year because of the weather (contrasting with last year) and Mr Kitching said he would expect CEFAS to refer to that and he will incorporate it in his report to CEFAS.
Mr Weller asked about the number of anglers being surveyed and Mr Kitching confirmed that is in his spreadsheet which is submitted by Mr Browne to CEFAS. Mr Kitching also confirmed that in 2012 to date just under 100 anglers had been surveyed but only 1 boat to date.
3.10.EPITOME OFCORRESPONDENCE
Item 3 re North Sea Network Interconnector Cable (Norway to Blyth area) Mr Miller commented that there had been very little liaison with local fishermen and Sean Douglas said he would see if he could assist with that.
Regarding Item 3.7 Coquet Fish Survey there was also confirmation of the recent survey of small fish in the Aln Estuary led by Mr Green and which constitutes an important development in the expansion of the IFCA remit compared to the SFC.
Regarding Item 13 Leaving Fixed Engines Unattended Mr Ritchie passed on a comment he had received about the impracticality of moving from one small boat to another in the open sea but Mr Miller said he thought nobody who is affected by this is against it. Mr Browne then confirmed that the situation regarding nets on occasion being left unattended had been brought to the Authority’s attention and the Authority must enforce this where necessary. Letters had thus been sent both last year and this to fishermen but if the Environment Agency insert a condition in beach net licences then the Authority can amend its byelaw. Mr Miller then spoke again and said that generally nobody wishes to leave their nets unattended. It was also noted that the licence holder themselves need to remain in attendance. The Chairman spoke about the safety issues as mentioned in the Epitome and that IFCOs cannot ignore the requirements of the byelaw. Julie Brooker spoke and said it about a proportionate response. She said the problem is more acute in Yorkshire where a porpoise died in a net. She also confirmed the Environment Agency will bring in a licence condition to cover this situation from next year.
Regarding Item 21 in the Epitome Nicothoe Astaci Parasite in East Yorkshire Lobsters, Professor Polunin confirmed this cannot be spotted incidentally.
Miscellaneous Points Arising
-Regarding the recent article in the Berwick Advertiser about tails from Byelaw 15 pot tags being washed up on some beaches, Mr Bould said it was just common sense to dispose of these safely if they are cut off. Heather Sugden said she would also report if any more were found.
-Regarding discards, Mr Bould wondered if using these for bait could be looked into. Mr Weller said sea anglers would totally support that . Mr Douglas said there could be bureaucratic difficulties but the Chief Executive said he would be happy to discuss this further with Mr Bould and Chief IFCO Browne.
3.11REPORTS OF WATCH AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The Chief Executive delivered his report on these meetings which had taken place earlier and the reports were received by the meeting.
3.12.INSHORE FISHERIES & CONSERVATION OFFICER REPORTS
3.12.1Mr Weller commented upon a lot of boats coming into Amble.
3.12.2The Chairman confirmed on behalf of the meeting receipt of the reports with thanks to the officers.
3.13.ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Re consultation on amendment to the Net Limitation Order Mr O’Connell spoke first about the scientific report from Scotland which had previously been brought to the members’ attention showing that, of tagged salmon caught, 75% came from Scottish rivers and he wondered therefore why the Environment Agency were now saying they did not have sufficient evidence. Mr Weller responded that the DNA profiling in the report is not correct and that effectively therefore the report rubbished itself.
Mr Miller said there is more salmon than ever but the Environment Agency are bent on stopping the industry. He went on that the Faroese and Greenlanders have threatened retaliatory action if the fishery doesn’t stop and some recreational fishermen have also always wanted to stop the fishery. He went on that the Tees is a man-made environmental disaster and every fishery has mixed stock. He feels the commercial fishermen have no power. Julie Brooker spoke about efforts from the Environmental Agency to have a sustainable fishery and the aim is NOT to close this fishery. Instead what is now proposed will be reviewed after 5 years instead of 10, requiring quite a lot of extra effort by the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency had met the previous week with Mr Benyon and once the Environment Agency had full data this may show more fish in the fishery than previously supposed. Julie Brooker also said that whilst there will be no new entries into the fishery in the next 5 years that is not ruled out afterwards.
Mr Ritchie said there is danger from retaliatory action by the Faroese in respect of mackerel and the Fisheries Minister is therefore under great pressure.
Mr Bould said this fishery is the most highly restricted, well-policed fishery in the UK which also has the shortest season. The Chairman said there should be support for a traditional fishery for which there was a broad consensus that it is sustainable. The Vice Chairman said the importance of the salmon hatchery at Kielder must be recognised.
There was one further item under Any Other Business regarding the time to start quarterly meetings and the Chairman asked members to consider the possibility of beginning the Watch Committee at 11.00 am, followed by the Finance Committee. There could then be a break for lunch before the General Meeting at 2 o’clock. The Chief Executive said this happened at at least one other IFCA and should enable matters to be considered as fully as possible by the membership.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 4.30 pm.