IMPLEMENTATION LOBSTER V-NOTCHING PROGRAMME 1. The scheme allows the purchase of 24,000 female lobsters over 3 years (8000 per year). These need not necessarily be egg holding at the time of purchase on the assumption that most will be gravid at some point. However, priority will be given to those that do hold eggs as the benefits are immediate. It may be possible to extend the period into a fourth summer, but not increase the expenditure. The scheme is based on the very successful one run under EU Pesca in 2000/2001 which saw over 6000 lobsters returned and which industry have requested that SWSFC re-run. The Pesca scheme saw the Committee pay £30,000 from its own account and do all the notching at its expense in Officer time and equipment. This scheme is constructed differently and will see the Committees costs also met. This is because the Committee is now running a large deficit budget, meaning that expenditure (mainly staff time) has been met from diminishing reserves. 2. Lobster Purchases are made via a designated SWSFC employee (this might sometimes involve a temporary staff member) at either:-
The scheme is designed to maximise notching opportunity, value for money and lobster return. 3. Average Market price will be paid for each female lobster retained and released with a V-notch according to the size scale:-
NB. The scheme is based on an average price per lobster, which is obviously both market price and lobster size dependent. Whilst this is not set in stone, we do not envisage paying more than £12.00 per kg in order to stay within the financial boundaries. For this and various organisational reasons, Lobster notching will tend to wind down between October and April of each year. 4. Officers will provide the fishermen with two receipts, one of which needs to be sent to SWSFC to reclaim the value of lobsters released. As practicing fishermen will confirm, the SWSFC response has been quick and efficient. Some fishermen prefer to hold back their claims for later payment (eg Xmas!) and this saves work for both parties. 5. The female lobsters will be returned as soon as possible, in as dispersed state as practicable on local grounds. 6. As part of a lobster monitoring programme some lobsters may be banded, tagged or both. Similarly, at sea measurement of discarded lobsters will take place, the details of which are in a separate letter and on the Committee's website. 7. Whilst the Committee and its officers support the V-notching scheme, industry must realise that it is an extra burden. Accordingly every effort should be made to maximise the number of lobsters released for minimum effort, whilst at the time ensuring that the lobsters are released on suitable grounds and in prime condition. Fishery Officers will wish to pool landings with other fishermen in order to maximise their time. 8. Proper release and local dispersal will usually involve the use of a vessel at port and Officers will work with fishermen to secure the most efficient and practical means. In the past this has often involved fishermen offering to make their boats available and which we hope will continue. In other SFC districts more lobsters have been bought from merchants rather than from local ports/boats at sea. Whilst this is the easiest way of building up numbers quickly, we would prefer to minimise handling and maximise return to local areas by working at Port level where possible. This will involve closer contact with local fishermen who will themselves need to co-ordinate local arrangements. So far (September) we are very pleased with the efforts that have been made and over 3000 lobsters have been released in the last 10 weeks. 9. The SWSFC Fishery Officer service is hard pressed with several priorities, and at times you may be asked to exercise some patience. We will re-evaluate arrangements on a regular basis. If you have any suggestions for improvements we will be pleased to hear from you. 10. Gauges and V-notching pliers
All of these measures are designed to maximise the value of the scheme and protect your fishery for your benefit. 11. Contact details
Please treat the above contact details with respect and in confidence. Any abuse will result in their withdrawal and the service may need to progress through other means- with the inevitable inefficiency that will involve. |
