The Scallop Association has told UK Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon that it is committed to the long-term sustainable management of UK scallop stocks and the habitats upon which they depend.
At a recent meeting with the Minister, the Association told him it is committed to securing a sustainable scallop industry for its members and underlined the steps already in progress to ensure responsible management of the scallop fishery.
They include the development of a UK Scallop Industry Good Practice Guide, which will be used as the building block for the development of a programme of responsibly sourced scallops. Scallop fishermen are also working towards certification for the Marine Stewardship Council standard for sustainability in the English Channel scallop fishery.
The Association highlighted the importance of the scallop sector to the UK economy with a first sale value of £45m in 2009 – the third most important species landed by value. Onshore the scallop sector supports 14 major processing companies who collectively employ 750 people. Exports to France, Spain and Portugal account for 70% of sales worth approximately £80m in 2009.
The Minister was told of serious concerns regarding the manner in that Marine Protected Areas (MPA) are being created without due consideration given to the impact on traditional fishing activities. The end result is inevitably the loss of fishing grounds and the displacement of scallop vessels into other areas, says the Association.
Mark Greet, Association chairman, said that the Minister “seemed impressed with the accuracy of fishing effort and how boats can precisely work around sites of conservation importance.”
He said “We also discussed the current DEFRA consultations on a proposed English Scallop Order. Whilst we support many of the proposals, we impressed on him the importance of harmonising arrangements around the UK. Our members have concerns regarding differing application of management regimes applying around the UK, which will potentially stop our nomadic vessels from their long term harvesting strategy. This is what makes their operations so sustainable; harvesting beds in rotation every few years.”
“The Minister told us he is working with his counterparts in the other administrations to try and ensure that this can continue and that he found his visit useful.”
