This report informs Members of a number of strategy and policy developments that are currently in progress. It explains how Members can contribute and identifies actions that officers propose to take in respect of each initiative.

2.1 This was the UK Government response to the Review of Marine Nature Conservation published in July 2004. It was a joint publication with contributions and endorsement from all UK devolved administrations. The report has received some criticism from environmental interests for not making the Government's intentions fully clear. The reason for any lack of clarity is probably linked to decisions not yet having been taken, regarding the content of the proposed Marine Bill. The press release for the publication of this report with details of how it may be obtained is attached at Annex A. No action from the Committee is required. The full report will be available at the meeting as a background paper.

3.1 Defra has recently commenced consultation on this package which they originally published on 26 October 2005. The consultation letter is attached at Annex B with details of how the package may be obtained. The deadline for comments is 31 March 2006.

3.2 The EU marine strategy takes the form of a Commission Communication (80 pages) and draft Marine Strategy Directive (40 pages) modelled on the EU Water Framework Directive. These background papers will be available at the meeting. The package establishes a framework for the development of marine strategies by each member states to achieve good environmental status for Europe's marine environment.

3.3 At present the wording is in general terms. When the more detailed implications for particular sectors such as inshore fisheries become clear it may be necessary for the Committee to respond on its own account. Meanwhile, the Association of Sea Fisheries Committees will make a joint response from all UK SFC and officers of this Committee will consider if further comment is required at this stage. If a response from this Committee is considered useful it will be circulated to members by post for approval.

4.1 This is a UK Government (Defra) consultation published on 19 December 2005 on the objectives and priorities for fisheries from 2007-2013. The strategy is needed to inform the introduction in January 2007 of a new European Fisheries Fund to replace the existing Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG). The EFF will provide grants for the sustainable development of fisheries and will therefore be of interest to the Committee.

4.2 The consultation letter and draft plan are attached at Annex C. The deadline for comments is 17 February 2006. The Association of SFCs will prepare a joint response. In order to contribute to that, comments should be received by the ASFC Chief Executive, Peter Winterbottom by 12 February 2006.

4.3 In view of the short time-scale, North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee officers will review the draft plan and consider if a response from this Committee is required. Any response will be circulated to Members for information.

5.1 As reported at the November meeting of this Committee, the National Assembly for Wales is to develop a Welsh fisheries strategy. Two groups have been established to undertake the work: a Steering group consisting of Government and Enforcement bodies on which this Committee is represented and a stakeholder group representing the fishing industry and other sectors. The Steering group first met in 2004 although the strategy has not been properly commenced until late 2005. Its second meeting was on 11 January 2006. The Stakeholder group is chaired by NWNWSFC member Dr. Stephen Lockwood.

5.2 The strategy is presently in its earliest stages although a very tight timescale has now been set. A draft for initial (Welsh) Ministerial approval is scheduled for completion by late March, leading to a full consultation draft by June. Following a summer consultation, the strategy is planned for publication in autumn 2006.

5.3 Officers will ensure advice from this Committee is fed into the strategy development process and keep members informed of progress.

6.1 A finding of the 'Net Benefits' report was that there are significant development opportunities for the English Shellfish sector. Defra and Seafish are seeking to identify and take advantage of these opportunities through development of a new shellfish strategy. The strategy is important to this Committee because it provides another opportunity to highlight the importance of the shellfish sector to English rural economies in our District. It also enables us to once again draw attention to the rather limited and archaic powers of Sea Fisheries Committees seeking to manage a modern and innovative shellfish sector, particularly in intertidal environments.

6.2 The authors, Colin Bannister, former head of the shellfish resource group at Cefas and Nick Lake, a former shellfish manager at SeaFish have taken advice, data and information from all the English SFC. This Committee has provided the advice requested. The time-scale for completion of the strategy is very short and the strategy is scheduled for completion by the end January 2006.

6.3 An introduction to the strategy and summary of results to date is provided at Annex D. No further action by the Committee is required at this stage. Officers will inform members when the strategy is published.

EU Communication: Thematic Strategy on the Protection and Conservation of the Marine Environment

EU Proposal for Marine Strategy Directive.

EU Impact Assessment for (2) and (3) above.