ABOUT US

SOUTH WALES SEA FISHERIES COMMITTEE

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Map is Illustrative but not definitive


 

Introduction
Sea Fisheries Committees are Committees or Joint Committees of local authorities constituted under the Sea Fisheries Regulation Act 1966 for the purposes of managing and developing inshore fisheries - mainly shellfish, within 6 nautical miles of baselines.

The South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee was created in 1912 from the amalgamation of the Glamorgan and Milford Haven Sea Fisheries Districts (first established 1890 and 1892 respectively). It covers a coastline of over 683 km and encompasses a sea area of approximately 4685 km2 between Cardiff and Cardigan.

Source : CCW

Funding And Representation

Source : CCW

The South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee is funded by a levy upon the following Local Authorities : Pembrokeshire (24%), Carmarthenshire (24%), City and County of Swansea (24%), Neath Port Talbot (11%), Bridgend (8%), Vale of Glamorgan (6%) and Cardiff (3%). The levy for 2005/06 is £483,284 apportioned to the above contributions ( %).

The Committee itself is created under statute to include Councillor members nominated by contributory Councils, and up to ten National Assembly appointed fishery members. The latter may not exceed the number of Councillors, and are appointed by virtue of their expertise and knowledge of a wide range of coastal fishery interests including angling and marine conservation. Additionally one member is appointed by the Environment Agency.

 

LIST OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS (August 2008)
NAME Representing
Cllr J T Richards Pembrokeshire County Council
Cllr B Hall Pembrokeshire County Council
Cllr D B Davies Carmarthenshire County Council
Cllr P M Williams Carmarthenshire County Council
Cllr J Newbury City and County of Swansea
Cllr K E Marsh City and County of Swansea
Cllr L W Willis  Neath Port Talbot County Council
Cllr H N James Neath Port Talbot County Council
Cllr T H Jarvie Vale of Glamorgan County Council
Cllr K Hyde Cardiff County Council
Cllr Mrs E Hughes Bridgend County Borough Council
Mr L Lammas National Assembly for Wales Appointee
Dr J Lancaster National Assembly for Wales Appointee
Mr G Hyndman National Assembly for Wales Appointee
Mr B Williams National Assembly for Wales Appointee
Mr S Wharton National Assembly for Wales Appointee
Mr N J O'Sullivan National Assembly for Wales Appointee
Mr S DeWaine National Assembly for Wales Appointee
Mr I Wisby National Assembly for Wales Appointee
MR D Bray National Assembly for Wales Appointee
Mr R A Phillips Environment Agency

 
The Local Authority funding arrangements for the Committee have been under review since 1996 following the re-organisation of local government at that time. The period has seen disruption to the services provided and a reduction in funding approaching 1/3rd in real terms despite an increase in statutory duties and a growing wider awareness of the importance of the marine environment and coastal fisheries.

Source : Devon SFC

 

OTHER STATUTORY DUTIES

Source : CCW
 In addition to enforcing their own local fishery byelaws Sea Fisheries Committees also enforce relevant aspects of National and European fisheries legislation relating to sea fish and migratory fish - a responsibility shared with the Marine Fisheries Agency and Welsh Assembly Government, and the Environment Agency respectively. The Committee is also grantee of the Burry Inlet Cockle Regulating Order, and has issued licences since 1965.
As well as managing inshore fisheries Sea Fisheries Committees have, since 1992, given additional environmental responsibilities. They now have to have a regard for the conservation of the marine environment and endeavour to achieve a reasonable balance between this and their other functions. Sea Fisheries Committees became both 'competent' and 'relevant' authorities under the UK Habitats Regulations (1994) giving them certain responsibilities in the implementation of wildlife protection areas under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives. To reflect these responsibilities a new post of 'Marine Conservation Officer' has been created. The Committee's work benefits a wide range of coastal users, who rely upon a clean marine environment and thriving local economy and not just commercial fishermen.

 

STAFFING

The Committee has a staff of up to 13; most of whom are outstationed. The office for administration is in Swansea. In undertaking their work, fishery officers use a combination of vehicles and vessels e.g. shore launched rigid hulled craft, purpose built 20 metre Fishery Protection Vessel "Cranogwen", built in 1987, and upgraded in 2005. Officers check compliance of fishing vessels operations, methods and fish sizes with relevant fisheries legislation.

Source : CCW

 

NATURE AND VALUE OF FISHERIES


Source : Devon SFC
Over 22,000 tonnes of fish and shellfish were taken from SWSFC waters in 2005, valued at first sale at around £14 million, (annual range £7-£14m) supporting over 600 jobs and 250 vessels in the catching sector. Processing adds value and along with the service industry suggests that 1800-2400 local people depend upon the fishing industry which generates £22.5 - 30 million to the local economy each year. The principle species of interest are cockles, mussels, oysters, whelks, lobsters, crawfish, species of crab, and fin fish such as bass, sole, cod and ray. Interest has been expressed in recent years over the potential to dredge for other bivalve shellfish found locally for which European markets exist. Any development of this fishery needs to be closely aligned to environmental sensitivities.