South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee

Press Release 01/05 28th April 2005

EU GRANT AWARDED TO IMPROVE LOBSTER STOCKS
The South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee has received confirmation that it is to receive £336,816 over the three year period 2005 to 2007 to enhance local stocks of lobsters. The money comes from the European Union FIFG Scheme (75%) matched by 25% funding from the Welsh Assembly Government. It will be used:

i. To purchase and return 24,000 female (egg bearing) lobsters which are marked with a 'V' tail notch and protected from exploitation under fishery laws. A Public Notice is attached.

ii. To provide notching equipment and measuring gauges to commercial fishermen to aid enforcement and maximise the long term value of the scheme.

iii. To provide for scientific monitoring of the stock and of fishing effort.

Speaking for the Committee, it's Director, Phil Coates, said "We are very pleased to be able to support local management of shellfish stocks in this way. The South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee is in the forefront of this work, having been the first regulator to put in place an effort monitoring scheme (in 1980), and V-notch legislation (in 1996) which led to an EU PESCA funded project in 2000/2001 when 6332 lobsters were V-notched and returned. The PESCA scheme was well supported by the fishing industry, who have long re-quested that it be continued. We are pleased that the project has gained EU FIFG funding. It is heartening to note that, unlike in many other fisheries, stocks of lobster are stable or increasing, due in no small part to the protection measures put in place by the South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee over the last 20 years".

NOTE TO EDITORS:
1. Lobster landings average between 70 and 100 tonnes per year from the rocky coastline between Swansea and Cardigan, worth 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.

2. 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.

3. A large female lobster (eg. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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 the effect is attached.

7. 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.

8. The SWSFC covers the area between Cardiff and Cardigan, and is funded by seven Unitary Authorities.

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

The minimum size of edible crab which may be taken from any fishery or landed in this district is 140 millimetres, being the distance measured across the broadest part of the back

Lobster
The minimum size of lobsters which may be taken from any fishery in this district is 90 millimetres carapace measurement. This is the distance from the back of the eye socket to the rear edge of the carapace measured parallel to the centre line.

Lobsters with either a 'V' notched or mutilated tail are protected by National and byelaw legislation and must be returned to the sea.

An EU / WAG funded project (split 75/25%), managed by SWSFC, has the aim of purchasing from fishermen for re-release up to 24,000 female V-notched lobsters in 2005-2007.

The above measures have two benefits. Firstly to protect lobsters to size of first maturity, secondly to offer protection to large female lobsters and thus increase egg production.

A range of other byelaws exist which define fishing methods and operational conditions in order to support increased stocks of fish and shellfish.

If you wish to either receive or pass on further information please contact:
South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee, Queen's Buildings, Cambrian Place, Swansea. SA1 1TW. Tel: 01792 654466 Fax: 01792 645987