To report a limited increase in funding for V notching in Wales in 2006, the Defra and NAW decisions not to proceed with a Statutory Instrument to ban the landing of berried hens and a Defra consultation on an increase to the MLS for lobster.

1.1 The European and WDA funded V notching project in Western Wales was scheduled to end in June 2006. In fact, the funding for compensation payments was used up by the end of the 2005 season and no V notching took place in early 2006.

1.2 The CEO applied to the Welsh European Funding Office and the WDA for a new V notching project to commence in 2006 and run to the end of the current FIFG funding instrument in 2008. However, this application was not successful because of limited funding and plans by Defra and NAW to introduce an SI to ban the landing of berried lobster hens.

1.3 WEFO indicated that there may be opportunities to set up a new V notch scheme under the new European Fisheries Fund from 2007 if other measures for lobster stock protection were not forthcoming. Officers will investigate this option when the call for projects under EFF is announced.

2.1 The CEO re-applied to WEFO for an extension to the existing V notch project and additional funding for compensation payments. An additional £20,000 was approved in July 2006 together with a project extension to November 2006.

2.2 Lobster V notching was restarted in Cardigan Bay in July 2006 and will continue until funds are exhausted, probably by October 2006. As a result of the additional funding, we expect that some thousands of berried female lobsters will be released in 2006, thus adding to the breeding stock and protecting the fishery for the future.

3.1 Following publication of a draft SI to ban the carriage and landing of berried hens in 2005, Defra received a large number of representations against this measure and in early 2006, decided not to proceed with the SI. NAW have followed suit and have also dropped the measure.

3.2 On 24 August 2006, Defra published a consultation (Annex A) on an increase in the lobster MLS from 87 to 90 mm. A draft Statutory Instrument and Regulatory Impact Assessment have also been published. The consultation invites views, together with examples and evidence on a number of options for introducing the increase and other measures to protect stocks. The closing date for the consultation is 17 November 2006.