Report by the Chairman and Chief Executive

1. That the quarterly cycle of Joint Committee meetings should be continued in 2007 and the proposed dates be approved.

2. That a minimum of two Scientific and Byelaws Sub-Committee meetings should be scheduled in 2007 and the proposed dates be approved.

3. That Sub-Committees for the Conwy, Menai West and Morecambe Bay Fishery Orders should be established.

1.1 In September 2005, the Committee resolved to move to a quarterly cycle of Joint Committee meetings and to convene Sub-Committee meetings as required rather than on a regular cycle. The purpose of this change to the Committee cycle was to involve more members in more decisions, reduce repetition of reports and discussions and increase efficiency. In order to implement this resolution, the Joint Committee has held 4 quarterly meetings in 2006 instead of 3 at 4 monthly intervals as had been the previous pattern.

1.2 One Scientific and Byelaws meeting was held in October 2006. This meeting differed from previous Scientific and Byelaws Sub-Committee in that all members were invited. No meetings of the Finance and General Purposes Committee Sub-Committee were required in 2006, all relevant business having been covered at Joint Committee.

1.3 When changing the pattern of meetings in 2005, the Joint Committee agreed to review the advantages after one year. This review is due at the December 2006 meeting and is set out below.

2.1 Members and Officers of the Committee consider that the cycle of 4 quarterly Joint Committee meetings has produced the intended benefits. More members have been involved in more decisions. It has also resulted in less duplication of reports and discussions at Joint Committee, thus generating time and cost savings resulting in increased efficiency.

2.2 Additional meetings of the FGP Sub-Committee have not been required in 2006. However, there have been a relatively large number of technical and byelaw issues in 2006. The single Scientific and Byelaws meeting in October allowed discussion of these matters but the meeting was rather large for the more informal format which would be ideal for free ranging consideration of technical issues. Some members and officers have noted that in future, additional time may be useful for members with technical interests and expertise to consider Scientific and Byelaw matters.

3.1 The review in paragraph 2 above indicates that the quarterly cycle of Joint Committee meetings gives benefits which should be retained. Dates for meetings are proposed as follows: 9 March, 8 June, 7 September, 7 December.

3.2 In order to provide more opportunity for discussion of technical and byelaw matters, two Technical Meetings will be scheduled for 2007. These meetings will have delegated powers to make recommendations for ratification at the next Joint Committee and to act in matters of urgency after reference to the Chairman, Chief Executive or in their absence to the Vice Chairmen. Technical meetings will be chaired by the Chairman of the Scientific and Byelaws Sub-Committee. The dates proposed for the Technical meetings are 20 April and 19 October.

3.3 The developing work on the Menai Strait West, Conwy Bay and Morecambe Bay Fishery Orders indicates that Steering Groups should be set up for each Order, to advise and oversee progress. Local Authority Committee members, Government Appointees and other stakeholder interest groups should be represented on these groups. A Conwy Bay Committee has already been convened and will be chaired by Vice-Chairman Wales. Members are invited to advise on membership of these Steering groups.

TOM GLOVER

Chairman

STEPHEN ATKINS

Chief Executive

21 November 2006

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