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Name: Blue Marine Foundation Details:
Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) have been working with the States of Jersey, local fishers and stakeholders to provide the evidence to manage Jersey's marine environment to allow marine life to flourish and low impact fisheries to thrive while mitigating the effects of climate change.
BLUE welcomes the new agreement that replaces the Bay of Granville Agreement. The agreement gives Jersey the opportunity to deliver an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management, fulfil current international commitments and deliver on future ambitions such as those recently endorsed by the UK and France within the High Ambition Coalition for nature and people.
The agreement further gives Jersey the ability to deny access to waters for vessels from authorities where there is a failure to meet the terms of the agreement. We would encourage Jersey to consider prohibiting access to Jersey's territorial waters to vessels where there has been a breach of the TECA.
Management measures
BLUE's ambition is to see Jersey create a world leading model of sustainable low impact fishing.
Over 85% of Jersey's fishing fleet operate with static fishing gears targeting species such as whelk, lobster and crab. These species form the backbone of the fleet. Lobsters, for instance, show high levels of association with rocky seabed, which in Jersey's waters means that a majority of catches are made close to the island's coast or around the offshore reefs. These species rely on diverse and productive habitats for nurseries, food, spawning and many other services. These habitats are also recognised as biodiversity hot spots and important blue carbon stores. Management measures should maximise the economic, social and ecological potential of these areas through the use of robust science and evidence.
Management measures that would contribute to the long-term sustainability of low impact fisheries on Jersey include:
• limits on the total catching effort that maintain healthy stocks and ensure exploitation rates do not exceed sustainable levels[1],
• the adoption of an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management,
• increased spatial management of different gear types to protect important habitats for commercially important species,
• integration of fishers into scientific assessments of stocks and research to underpin management measures,
• minimum landing sizes that exceed the minimum conservation reference size (MCRS) for all commercially landed species,
• maximum landing sizes for all shellfish to ensure a healthy population of large animals,
• improved stock assessments and a requirement for assessments for all exploited stocks.
Licensing
It is our understanding that the licensing conditions that Jersey can apply are the most appropriate avenue for implementing specific changes that will benefit stocks and local fishers. We welcome the requirement to demonstrate a track record of fishing activity as a precursor for a licence to be granted but would recommend that this is strengthened. Where possible Jersey should ensure that licences are granted that reflect not only historical fishing activity in terms of a minimum number of days of fishing activity but also consider evidence of where this fishing activity took place.
A number of conditions should be attached to licences that would represent a step change in improved management and increased opportunities for Jersey's relatively low impact fleet, including:
• a 12-metre length limit on new vessels is applied,
• the inclusion of a sunset clause' for any licences that have to be issued for boats exceeding 12 metres – as has already been applied to Jersey boats that are over 12m,
• all boats fishing within Jersey territorial waters must declare landings to Marine Resources every quarter,
• iVMS on board all vessels,
• all vessels fishing within Jersey territorial waters should pay a licence fee to Jersey authorities,
• the cost of licences should be linked to the environmental impact of the gear type.
Funding
BLUE would welcome the development of a funding package that supports a transition to more responsible fishing. We recommend that licensing fees contribute to the development of this support package. Funding should be geared towards providing support to low impact fishers and enhancing the resilience of the fleet. Examples would include assistance in accessing new markets, provision of infrastructure, improving health and safety at sea, and diversifying catch and products.
Response required: Yes.