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Sea Fisheries Committees are statutory fisheries
and marine environmental protection bodies constituted under the
Sea Fisheries Regulations Act (1966) as amended by the Environment
Act 1995. They are obliged by the Sea Fisheries (Wildlife Conservation)
Act 1992 to have a regard to the conservation of marine flora and
fauna in the exercise of their functions, and endeavour to achieve
a reasonable balance between that consideration and any others.
They are both "relevant" and "competent" authorities
with respect to the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations
1994 which implement the Habitats and Birds Directives in the UK,
and must use their functions to secure compliance with the requirements
of these Directives.
Such broader duties also apply to the implementation in the UK of
the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) as amended by the Countryside
Rights of Way Act (2000).
In keeping with the above, the Committee's Mission statement is
:
"To regulate, manage and enhance the inshore sea fisheries
of South and West Wales in a manner which will ensure their long
term sustainability in balance with the wider marine environment.
Promote and enact fisheries byelaws and
other regulations.
Monitor fishing activity and the biological health of fisheries.
Provide, maintain and support the resources required to police,
monitor and administer fishery matters in a cost effective and efficient
manner.
Liaise and cooperate with a wide range of other bodies concerned
with fisheries for the benefit of both the wider marine environment
and those who use it."
The fishing industry within Wales
is frequently located within outlying or fringe communities. In
such circumstances there is a danger of isolation.
The Committee will exchange information with the public and industry
using both electronic and paper formats communicated in a timely
manner in the most informative, accessible and cost effective way.
The content of information provided will be a combination of the
Committee's Policy and statutory requirements of legislation such
as the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Data Protection Act 1998
etc.
An annual newsletter will supplement direct contact with fishermen,
merchants and other stakeholders. The SWSFC website (www.swsfc.org.uk)
is a particularly useful mechanism for providing information because
it is always available. Communication by e-mail can provide a cost
effective and timely response mechanism to queries with minimal
disruption to office and fishermen's routines as well as reducing
environmental impact.
As a publicly funded local government organisation,
the Committee is an 'equal opportunities employer' and generally
follows in this respect the policies of the City & County of
Swansea.
In summary, the SWSFC recognises and accepts responsibility to ensure
and promote equal opportunities and give full consideration to all
appropriate European and National legislation, Regulations and Codes
of Practice.
The SWSFC will not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour,
disability, sex, age, marital status, religion or beliefs, or language.
As a public body the SWSFC will, wherever possible, treat the Welsh
and English languages as equals. The public may communicate with
the SWSFC in Welsh if they wish and receive publications in Welsh.
The Committee, however, is a small organisation which operates in
technical area and has only a limited number of Welsh speaking staff,
and similarly a low level of resources. Accordingly, its policy
of endorsing Communication in Welsh will not interfere with statutory
enforcement duties and delays may arise in providing a written response
whilst translations are being facilitated.
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