To appraise Members of the widespread discussions, which are being held in Cardigan Bay, on future management plans for the Welsh prawn fishery.

1.1 Over the last 12 months Officers have been minded to put in place measures to cap the current rate of exploitation of the common prawn (Palaemon serratus). When this was initially discussed at Joint Committee, the industry view suggested a belief that the fickle nature of this fishery was sufficient to avoid over exploitation. However Officers are concerned at the increasing levels of effort which are being used to turn what historically has been a supplement to lobster/crab fishing, into a full time operation. The greatest increase in effort has been in Cardigan Bay, and to a lesser extent off Anglesey.

1.2 Following a workshop to discuss the exploitation of prawns off the Welsh Coast, the Welsh Federation of Fishermen’s Associations Ltd has produced a discussion paper (Annex A), which draws together some of the concerns as held by NWNWSFC Officers. Whilst the discussion paper was warmly received at the September meeting of the Cardigan Bay Fishermen’s Association, no agreement was reached on several topics, principally: the timing of a closed season, the mesh size for pot ends, and the bar spacing for riddles. Most Cardigan Bay fishermen already use riddles to sort the catch.

1.3 Officers believe that management intervention is now required, and are keen to support the industry-led research into the most appropriate measures. South Wales SFC is also broadly supporting the proposals.

1.4 I would therefore propose that once the Federation has achieved consensus support from the industry, that Officers work with our colleagues in South Wales in deciding what restrictions would be most appropriate (Statutory Instrument or Byelaw). Any such restrictions would be applicable only in the Wales area of the District.