To provide the latest information on the development of this Bill.

1.1 At the ASFC January meeting, the UK Fisheries Minister Jonathan Shaw stated that Defra remains on schedule to publish this Bill in April 2008. After consultation through summer, the intentions are that it should be introduced to Parliament in the Queen’s speech in November 2008 and proceed to royal assent in summer 2009. Defra are working towards a vesting day for the new Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and the reformed SFC of 1 April 2010.

1.2 The main components of the Bill remain the same as were in the White Paper in 2007. Defra is now undertaking a series of research projects to provide the evidence and advice they need to underpin the various provisions in the Bill. Some of these relate to UK wide issues and some to England only.

1.3 Areas currently under discussion include

2.1 As reported previously and outlined on some detail in the White Paper, Defra have decided to retain and modernise Sea Fishery Committees in England. A new name for the Committees has been proposed: ‘Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCA).

2.2 Defra has further decided that the responsibilities of the new IFCA should be extended in estuaries to cover all sea fisheries except migratory species which will remain the responsibility of the Environment Agency. Officers will work with the EA to agree boundaries for the new SFC Districts.

2.3 A study has recently been commissioned by Defra to provide advice on the most appropriate structure for the Districts of the IFCA, how many there should be in England and the resources they will need. No decisions have been taken but there has been discussion of arrangements for North West England. The options are to amalgamate the English part of North Western with Cumbria and set up a single IFCA from Wales to Scotland or to continue with 2 separate smaller Committees in England. The ASFC has written to the CEO of all the English local authorities to inform them of this study as at Annex A.

3.1 The WAG has stated that all the powers and provisions of the Marine Bill will be adopted by Wales but that decisions will be taken later on which measures will be implemented and how.

3.2 The Welsh Fisheries Strategy indicates that there will be a further consultation soon on future arrangements for inshore fisheries management in Wales. As the Committee has previously noted, it is evident that the WAG is expected to establish separate arrangements for Wales which will result in the break up of this Committee. The possible options can be considered by this Committee under agenda item (10).

3.3 The Welsh Fisheries Minister Elin Jones met the two Committees with the ASFC on 17 January in her Aberystwyth constituency. Vice Chairman (Wales) and Officers attended and the Minister was given a detailed briefing on the role and remit of the SFC and tour of the FPV Aegis. The exceptionally good value for money which the existing SFC provides was emphasised, together with the importance of a management framework that provides local accountability to the industry. The Minister was supplied with a detailed paper prepared by the ASFC with the help of the two Committees. This paper is available to members from the Clerk.