To inform Members of the number of Byelaw 12 scallop authorisations which have been issued thus far for the 2005-2006 season.

1.1 November 2005 had seen the commencement of the first scallop season to be affected by the extension of Byelaw 9 (Mechanical vessels - Maximum size) out to the 6 limit of the District. Many vessels which had in previous years been automatically issued with scalloping authorisations for the 3 – 6 mile area, had not actually fished the area, and would now need to demonstrate historical track records.

1.2 The problems had also been compounded by the reduction in maximum size of a vessel that is currently allowed to fish within the southern area of the District. This reduction in size bars vessels over 12m overall length, fishing in an area that they had been allowed to fish in previous years. The byelaw had invited those vessels which could demonstrate a track record of fishing within the 6 mile limit, for a period of at least 60 days in 2002 to 2004, to register for a ‘sunset’ authorisation.

1.3 At the February 2006 meeting of the Joint Committee, Officers outlined the difficulty in issuing authorisations to permit scallop dredging in the southern area of the District, and requested a Chairman’s Working Party be convened.

1.4 On the 27^th February 2006, Officers reported to the Chairman’s Working Party on the complexity of interpreting office held data taken from vessel fishing returns and the paucity of information provided by the owners of 52 vessels registering for ‘sunset authorisations’. At that time data suggested that only two vessels were eligible for a ‘sunset authorisation’. Members of that working party supported the view that whilst Officers should further review any data relating to the 2005 season, the conditions of the byelaw should be strictly adhered to, even though it may well penalise a few locally based vessels.

1.5 The final date for registering for a ‘sunset authorisation’ was 31^st March 2006. By that date a total of 64 applications had been received, 50 from scallop/beam trawl vessels, and 14 from the non-scalloping sector.

1.6 To date a total of 7 scallop authorisations have been issued. Only 1 of those 7 has been issued under a ‘sunset authorisation’.

1.7 Officers will shortly be finalising the list of those vessels which are eligible for king scallop (Pecten maximus) authorisations, mindful that authorisations for queen scallops (Aequipecten opercularis) are due for issue at 1^st June 2006. Many vessels fish for both species.