LOBSTER V - NOTCHING

PRESS RELEASES -01/05 28th April 2005 | 05/05 6th September 2005 | 11/06 28th November 2006

Press Release 11/06 28th November 2006

LOBSTER V-NOTCHING SUCCESS
In April 2005 the Committee was granted £336,816 (75% from EU FIFG and 25% WAG) to purchase for return to the sea of up to 24,000 female lobsters with a V-cut tail notch over the course of three years –2005, 2006 & 2007 (PR 01/05).  The landing of such lobsters has been made illegal under SFC byelaw and more recently National legislation, and they act as a continuing brood stock to maintain the stocks.

Progress  In 2005, after a delayed start due to the large cockle fishery, some 5431 lobsters were released.

In 2006 concerted efforts by SWSFC Fishery Officers working closely with local fishermen and Merchants, led to a further 22,168 lobsters V-notched making a total of 27,599 lobsters being returned to the sea which would otherwise have found their way to market.

SWSFC Director, Phil Coates said ‘To have exceeded our target release numbers a year early is a tremendous achievement and a testament to the efforts of Fishery Officers and fishermen alike. The industry has wholeheartedly endorsed the scheme and pulled together to make available numbers of lobsters. This has helped keep the costs down to a bear minimum and allowed more lobsters to be released in the summer when prices are lowest thus providing maximum value for money. In fact, the advanced release of next years lobsters will add an extra spawning and further boost to spawning stock. We now intend to approach WEFO to switch scheme administration costs to lobster purchases with the hope of buying a few more lobsters in 2007.”    

Science As part of the scheme some extra scientific work is being undertaken. Paid for and returned lobsters are being banded and / or tagged. The blue or white (according to area of release) claw bands not only allow fishermen to identify V notched lobsters more easily, but allow their general movements to be tracked.

Furthermore a 1000 lobsters will additionally have an individually numbered orange streamer tag attached to their underside. This will allow the movements of individual animals to be tracked as they get recaptured and reported.

Dr Andy Woolmer, Biologist for SWSFC said “Over a period of time we will be able to develop a picture of the extent to which these lobsters move around. Although early days yet and the reports are yet to be collated, it appears that a number of animals have moved south to be caught by North Devon fishermen, perhaps augmenting the lobsters within the established No Take Zone at Lundy Marine Nature Reserve.” The SWSFC website will periodically record these findings.

Threats However, Phil Coates added a word or warning. The SWSFC has been successful in attracting EU aid under three schemes which have financed its pioneering lobster work. However, a recent proposal by the NAW Minister 1  threatens to undermine these efforts. “It is far from certain” he said “that if Sea Fisheries Committees are taken in house within WAG as is proposed that either the capacity to do such work will continue to exist, nor whether WAG will itself be able to apply for grants it currently match funds. We are seeking reassurances from the Minister that such important work will be allowed to continue. If not, it is difficult to see how the Minster’s proposals will actually improve management, quite the contrary.” 

Together, the protection of juvenile shellfish (to minimum landing size at first spawning size) larger breeding populations and scientific understanding; these measures provide the basis for building upon the already healthy local stocks of lobsters in support of a viable, productive and sustainable fishery.

Phil Coates again “At this time when the headlines are so often about the decline in fish stocks and of ineffective management, it is pleasing to report upon a success story involving the regulator working with the fishing industry.’

NOTE TO EDITORS

1. “Proposal to improve management of Welsh fisheries” http://new.wales.gov.uk/news/presreleasearchive/150906fish?lang=en
2. PR 01/05 (28/4/05) provided notification of grant to return 24,000 V-notched lobsters over 3 years (8,000 per year). PR 05/05 Provided an update. As part of the scheme 100 special V-notching pliers and 500 sets of specialist shellfish measuring gauges have been distributed free of charge to practising commercial lobster fishermen so that they are better able to return undersized shellfish and re – notch paid for lobsters as the notch grows out. .  See www.swsfc.org.uk
3. Annual lobster landings average between 70 and 100 tonnes (mainly taken between May and September) from the rocky coastline between Swansea and Cardigan, worth, at first sale,  around £630 - £900,000 per year and representing some 5.5 – 7.8% of UK declared catch.  Around 150 licensed fishing vessels locally derive an income from fishing for lobsters.  Landings, number of juveniles and catch per pot has increased year on year over the last 5 years.
4. The SWSFC was the first in the UK to introduce statutory protection of V-notched lobsters when its byelaw was confirmed in November 1996.  (SWSFC: PR 15/96).  Several other SFCs and National legislation have since followed.
5. A large female lobster (e.g. 150mm carapace size or 2 kilos in weight) can produce 20,000 eggs per year – more than three times as many as a smaller but legal sized lobster at 90mm carapace length.
6. SWSFC: PR 4/99 describes how EU PESCA grant, along with Committee finances, allowed for the purchase and return of 6332 V-notched lobsters (£60,000) between 1999 and 2001.
7. The measure follows the Committee’s introduction of a raised minimum landing size of 90mm carapace length in July 1997.  This is in recognition of the need to provide protection to immature lobsters to allow them to spawn before capture.
8. The Committee appointed a dedicated Biologist for four years ending 1999 on part EU funding to research lobster and crab populations in South West Wales.  ‘Analyses of shellfish permit data with reference to lobster stock enhancement and restrictive licensing schemes’ was published in April 1999.  This is a benchmark study and forms the basis for further recommendations on management of some species of crustacean shellfish in the UK.
9. Fishermen, retailers and members of the public are reminded that, if they come across a V-notched lobster within the SWSFC district at any time, they are obliged to return it to the sea – dead or alive.  It is an absolute offence to possess such a lobster at any time.  A Public Notice to that effect is on www.swsfc.org.uk and displayed locally.
10. The SWSFC covers the area between Cardiff and Cardigan, and is funded by seven Local Authorities. 

The project was funded by the European Union under FIFG with the support of WAG.