Falklands : Fisheries Committee Report (26/11/07)
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 26.11.2007 (Article Archived on 10.12.2007)
The ecologically unsound practice of bottom trawling has been discussed at this important committee meeting.
FISHERIES COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT
By J. Brock (FINN)
A meeting of the Fisheries Committee took place at 1400hrs on Tuesday, 20 November 2007 in the Liberation Room of the Secretariat. Committee members present were: The Honourable A. Clausen – Chairperson, The Honourable R. Cockwell, Mr D Pickup, Attorney General, John Barton, Director of Fisheries, Mark Brunet, General Manager FIDC, Lewis Clifton, Mike Forrest, Stuart Wallace, Tom Blake. Three members of the public attended. Mr Drew Irvine apologised for his absence. Mr Stuart Wallace declared an interest in item 7; Mr Tom Blake declared an interest in item 8, and Mr Lewis Clifton declared interest in items 5, 6, 7 and 8. Arising from the Minutes of the Meeting held on 18 September 2007 was the introduction of AIS 2008; John Barton confirmed that an email had been circulated to the Industry indicating that the commencement date for AIS would be 1 July 2008.
Members of the Fisheries Committee:
John Barton indicated that previous elections to the Fisheries Committee had been run by the Fisheries Department. After consultation with ExCo a temporary arrangement had been proposed until such time as the Industry could set up its own Association. Alternates could be provided as long as there was an agreed procedure for selecting them and the alternate was approved by the Chair. This had been reflected in the ExCo paper.
Councillor Clausen suggested a brief information paper be submitted to ExCo to record the arrangement.
With regard to alternates there was some discussion as to the procedure if 2 or more industry representatives were absent. The 4 Falkland Islands Fisheries Companies Association (FIFCA) Committee members would normally provide representation with one alternate being the fifth board member. The Association will comment on the procedure they have for selecting alternates if more than one representative is absent. John Barton will produce brief ExCo paper on the subject. Lewis Clifton indicated it would be easier to arrange matters if there was a schedule of meetings set.
FIFCA and Fisheries Committee papers:
A request had been received from the Industry Association that all papers for the Fisheries Committee be circulated one full week prior to the meeting to allow consultation with association members. DoF indicated that it would be preferable to agree that every effort would be made to comply with this request, but that it should be borne in mind events sometimes made it necessary for late papers to be submitted. It should not be set in tablets of stone.
CE stressed that any papers provided to the Industry would also need to be made available to the public.
Proposal to increase certain FIPASS charges:
John Barton had circulated a paper about proposed water and electricity charges in respect of FIPASS. FIPASS charges and any proposals for variation would normally go to ExCo. However, the proposal was simply to increase charges reflecting the increases in electricity and water charges imposed by FIG. It was complicated to assess electricity use by reefer containers and the use of these had increased markedly over the last year. As the rates were reflecting an increase in utility charges it was considered that these could be implemented as proposed. John Barton indicated that the next paper submitted to ExCo on FIPASS rates could highlight this procedure.
High Seas Bottom Trawling; looming ban:
John Barton said that the paper on High Seas Bottom Trawling set out the issues including damage to habitat. With regard to the attachment, section X was particularly relevant and of that paragraphs 83 – 86. He considered that FI could tick many of the issues raised throughout the UN resolution that warranted the paper. Falkland Islands vessels have been licensed for High Seas operations since 1995 and all relevant data has been collected, observers have been used, conservation measures have been adopted, etc. In relation to the main issue of vulnerable deep seas ecosystems, some work had already been done and additional work might be necessary. Additional limitations might need to be imposed on FI high seas licences. It would also be useful for the FI industry to look at whether alternative fishing methods could be used. John Barton considered that the Falkland Islands could present a reasonable case on this issue although it was not entirely clear how any ‘approval process’ worked. The proposed ban comes in on 31 December 2007, in areas where no RFMO exists, such as the Southwest Atlantic.
The paper was largely an information paper and Lewis Clifton said he had requested it be on the agenda to provide an update on the issue.
Stuart Wallace queried whether FI interests had been fully taken account of in the process. HMG had signed up and had seemingly committed FI to the consequences. John Barton said that DEFRA had been the lead UK department, and that OT views had not appeared to receive as much weight as the Falkland Islands would have liked.
Other organisations would be affected such as the EU. It is thought that they had recently embarked on some assessment work in the Southwest Atlantic. However, it would be desirable for there to be some co-operation and co-ordination with other interested parties. John Barton indicated that it was necessary for FI to have its own ‘stand alone’ plan as well.
Tom Blake queried whether there would be any change to licence conditions prior to consultation with the industry. John Barton suggested that a likely new measure was limiting high seas operations to traditional fishing areas. This should not be unduly limiting as all operations take place in well defined areas.
John Barton said that in view of the resolution it would be impossible to permit bottom trawling in new high seas areas without conducting a proper assessment to establish whether such operations could take place without causing undue damage.
Councillor Clausen recommended that the Industry offer feedback as to the viability or otherwise of developing and using fishing gear which did not interact with the seabed.
John Barton stated that there was a reasonable case to put forward which he would prepare and circulate a paper to the Industry outlining a case for maintaining the status quo, although including restrictions on new areas.
Next Meeting:
The next meeting of the committee will take place at 0900 on Tuesday, 5 February 2008 in the Liberation Room. A schedule for future meetings in 2008 should be set out.
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