dan burgess (welsh assembly government) – welsh seafood strategy (2009)
TRANSCRIPT
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