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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY THE DEPUTY OF ST. MARY
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2010
Question
"Would the Minister inform the Assembly of the value of the aquaculture and fishing industries, in terms of turnover, exports and employment?
Does the Minister collate information relating to the costs to the industry in having shell-fish beds downgraded from one status to a lower one, and, if so, would he provide the information to the Assembly. Would he also outline the reasons such a downgrading can occur?
Would the Minister advise how many times, if any, such downgrading has happened in the last 10 years?" Answer
In 2008, the total value of all fishing and aquaculture industries combined, was £6,744,675 calculated as first hand landed value. Of this approximately £1.3 million was purely Aquaculture. By comparison the Shellfish fishing industry was worth approximately £4 million and the Wet fish (Finfish) sector £428,744. The remaining £1 million in value were UK landings by Jersey registered vessels.
In 2008, just under 1,000 tonnes (955,793 kgs) of shellfish were produced from Aquaculture. Of this, approximately 60% were exported.
The data for 2009 is currently being collated.
Fisheries and Marine Resources do not have information on the number of employees retained by Aquaculture Companies or Fishing vessels.
I am grateful to the Minister for Planning and Environment for the following information:-Grading, also known as area classification, is a public health measure required under EU Food Hygiene legislation. Classification is based on average results of 12 tests, usually carried out at monthly intervals, which detect faecal contamination. The classification informs which method of handling the product is legally required before marketing for human consumption. Area classification for Jersey shellfish harvesting areas is carried out in consultation with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, when results are reviewed annually.
The reason for down grading is test results fall within a higher grade than that previously established. The grades are A, B and C. Only products from areas classed A, the highest classification, can be sold directly for human consumption.
In the period, 9 areas have been downgraded and 8 areas have been upgraded.
The Minister for Economic Development does not currently collate information relating to the costs to the industry in having shell-fish beds downgraded from one status to a lower one, or visa versa, the increase in profits from upgrading shell-fish beds from a lower status to a higher one.