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WQ.52/2025
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT BY DEPUTY C.D. CURTIS OF ST. HELIER CENTRAL
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 17th FEBRUARY 2025 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 24th FEBRUARY 2025
Question
"Further to the priority identified within the Marine Spatial Plan for onshore facilities for the fishing industry, will the Minister advise what progress, if any, has been made in developing the provision of appropriate marine and offshore amenities, including a fish processing facility?"
Answer
This answer is based on the assumption that "and offshore amenities" should read "and onshore amenities". We have no intention of developing anything out at sea.
A working group is being established between Marine Resources, Rural and Marine Economy and MENV and MSED to investigate fish processing opportunities around St Helier harbour. An initial meeting is planned for 7th March.
The group will produce a paper on current issues and opportunities to take to commercial sector and key stakeholders including Ports of Jersey for consultation before building a strategy to support industry on this front.
Also of note is the emerging issue of Octopus that was discussed at recent Marine Resources panel. Catches are increasing but the unprocessed price is poor. This species is also impacting the catch of other key commercial stocks, primarily lobster. Again, this highlights need for processing systems.
Industry is being encouraged to use Government Productivity scheme to improve and enhance current fishing and fish processing systems.
Last year Marine Resources officers met with the Scallop diving fishers and colleagues from Rural & Marine Economy to look at industry issues including onshore processing. Following further meetings with Rural Economy and Jersey Business the Scallop divers have been tasked with developing a business plan to progress this.