This content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost. Let us know if you find any major problems.
Text in this format is not official and should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments. Please see the PDF for the official version of the document.
19-21 Broad Street | St Helier Jersey | JE2 4WE
By email
11th October 2023
Dear Chair,
Thank you for your letter of 4th October, in which you provide a number of questions in relation to the Marine Park.
As the Panel will be aware, the Minister for the Environment has announced his intention to bring forward a Proposition for an expanded network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Jersey waters. This MPA network would constitute a ‘Marine Park’ which would assist with fulfilling the island’s commitment to deliver 30% MPA coverage by 2030.
- Have you considered the impact this industry may have on the economy overall and in particular, the fishing community.
Any proposals will be brought forward by the Minister for the Environment but I can confirm that the Minister and his officers have presented to the Marine Economy Forum which includes a number of representatives from the island’s fishing industry. For further information on the public engagement as part of this work I would refer the Panel to the Minister for the Environment.
The assessment process undertaken to identify potential sea areas for inclusion within an MPA network has sought to use accepted and accredited methodologies to capture and analyse environmental and socioeconomic data. Those sea areas recommended for inclusion within an expanded MPA network are then subject to a separate analysis which considers the effect that any management measures may have on any associated activities such as fishing (commercial and recreational), tourism, watersports, infrastructure, etc.
- In addition, could you inform the Panel of how the enforcement of the marine park will be controlled?
The Marine Park remains conceptual and does not have any associated boundaries, restrictions, regulations or management measures at this stage.
Jersey’s existing MPA areas which occupy approximately 6.5% of the island’s seas and which are primarily managed through the island fisheries laws. Additional is the Portelet no take zone (NTZ) which occupies 0.0001% of Jersey’s territorial seas and which is managed through the Sea Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Portelet Bay) (Jersey) Regulations 2022.
I hope the above provides clarity to the areas you have raised. Yours sincerely,
Deputy Kirsten Morel
Deputy Chief Minister
Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture E k.morel2@gov.je