To advise Members that Officers have received a number of requests from the angling sector to consider a prohibition on commercial fishing for tope.

1.1 During the last two months Officers have received 27 letters from anglers requesting that the Committee make a new byelaw at the earliest opportunity, to prohibit commercial fishing for tope.

1.2 The rationale advanced for the prohibition is the potential growth in sport fishing in relation to the possible demise of the species through commercial over-fishing. Our colleagues in North Eastern SFC have recently made a new byelaw which prohibits commercial fishing for the species, therefore the argument is submitted that it would be proactive for this District to follow suit.

2.1 Initial comments from area Officers indicate no commercial value for the species and therefore no immediate pressure on the stock, the only sector targeting the species being charter angling boats.

2.2 In order to make any meaningful recommendation for a possible prohibition, Officers will need to undertake an extensive consultation with all stakeholders. This will take time, and currently there is little spare capacity in staff resources. Officers therefore suggest that any investigative period be over a timescale of at least 6 months.

2.3 With the agreement of Members, Officers propose to prepare a report for the December 2006 meeting of the Joint Committee.