Fisheries in Wales

Welsh Seafood Strategy

Presentation to SAGB Annual Conference

Daniel Burgess Welsh Assembly Government

26 May 2010

Fisheries Policy – Setting the Scene

Ministerial role – to balance social, economic and environmental matters in relation to fisheries

Cross-departmental liaison with other Ministers e.g Environment or Housing

Development of fisheries policy – jointly with the industry, EAW, CCW, Wales Environment Link (RSPB, WWF etc)

Wales Fisheries Strategy

Launched in 2008 – long term vision for fisheries (to 2020)

Developed in partnership with all stakeholders including NGO’s such as WWF Cymru

Covers commercial sea catching, recreational sea angling, aquaculture and inland fisheries

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/foodandfisheries/fisheries/walesfisheriesstrategy/implementationplan/?lang=en

Fisheries Policy

Fisheries policy developed and implemented against background of Strategy objectives

Fisheries policy in Wales is influenced by size and composition of Welsh fisheries and aquaculture sectors

Significant in terms of shellfish

Fisheries Policy - EFF

Financial support available through European Fisheries Fund - over £5m granted to date.

Working with the industry to understand habitat mapping and management options related to fishing intensity and habitat sensitivity

This will provide us with concrete scientific evidence to inform future policy decisions

Welsh Fishing Industry in Context

Scotland, 71% 311,103 Tonnes,

England, 23% 101,327 Tonnes,

Wales, 2%, 9,579 Tonnes,

Northern Ireland, 4%, 17,790 Tonnes

Fish and shellfish landings by country 2007 The Welsh fishing industry accounts for 2% of total UK catch But this doesn’t include fish caught in Welsh waters and

landed elsewhere or farmed produce/ aquaculture

Source: MFA

Welsh Shellfish Landings 2009

17.3

145.3

236.6

248.9

588.0

3,483.8

0 1000 2000 3000 4000

Volume (Tonnes)

Common Prawns

Lobsters

Spider Crab

Brown Crab

Scallops

Whelks

Sp

ecie

s

Source: MFA

Welsh Shellfish Landings 2009

294

1,444

267

291

976

2,149

£0 £500 £1,000 £1,500 £2,000 £2,500

Value (£'000)

Whelks

Scallops

Brown Crab

Spider Crab

Lobsters

Common Prawns

Sp

ecie

s

Source: MFA

Welsh Cockle and Mussel Landings 2007

10,168

1,163

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000

Volume (tonnes)

Mussels

Cockles

Sp

ecie

s

Source: MFA, CEFAS

Where Welsh lamb went….

Ministerial desire to raise the profile of Welsh seafood and improve share of domestic market

Challenges Lack of public awareness Majority exported Limited markets in Wales Lack of infrastructure

…Welsh shellfish will follow

Raise awareness of produce available Target quality food festivals e.g.

Abergavenny, Taste of London Increase domestic consumption Wales The True Taste Awards

Allows for WAG to endorse the brand/ company run marketing promotions

Strongly recommend producers apply to raise the profile of Welsh shellfish

Wales The True Taste Awards 2010

Categories for shellfish, shellfish products, and export achievement

Event to be held in Pembrokeshire this year with an emphasis on seafood, local produce

Real opportunity to highlight the industry’s achievements

www.walesthetruetaste.com

Future targets

Fill the science gaps to secure MSC accreditation

Gain PGI, PDO – e.g. Cardigan Bay Prawns

Gain an understanding of how to increase value on the continent

Innovative packaging Launch of “Wales’ Hidden Harvest” for

schools