Support offered to struggling fishermen

Tuesday 3rd June 2008, 2:59PM BST.

ECONOMIC Development Minister Philip Ozouf offered despondent fishermen a package of support last night as they combat rising fuel costs and low lobster prices.

But that support will not be financial or in the form of fuel subsidies.

The Jersey Enterprise support package which Senator Ozouf has offered includes:

*Continued efforts by the Bureau de Jersey director to persuade French Customs to allow local fishermen to land their catches direct in St Malo, which is being refused by an agent there at present.

*Helping the industry to promote their lobsters more in the Island.

*Support in gaining eco-labelling for lobsters which could increase their value.

*Picture: Fisherman Mark Green

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Nicolas Jouault

June 3, 2008 at 11:19 pm

“Stop Eating the Babies”
With widespread and still growing public concern about over-fishing, and the terrible waste from fishery discards, most people would be horrified to realise that some fishermen are targeting the wild bass stocks before they have ever had a chance to spawn. Even fisheries landings figures confirmed this last year when landings of Bass were almost halved in one year and this is even more worrying considering the recent statement from Mike Taylor chairman of the Marine Panel, that more of the local fleet is targeting Bass.
But none of this is suprisising when the Island currently allows fisheries management to be undertaken by a panel made up with a bias on commercial interests and no NGO conservation representative on it.
It is now the credit crunch time for local marine wildlife with most species on the brink of collapse or extinction, a prime example is the puffin which will soon abandon the island if it not already has.
The Island is more noted for its historical involvement for overfishing than sustainable use, for example: The Newfoundland Cod collapse, local Oyster fishery to extinction, Ormers no longer a sustainable catch and at the current decline will no longer be found in Island waters at the end of this century.
I would question if our ministerial politicians who are responsible for the proper managemnet and protection of our environment are fit for purpose. As their current actions in this respect are deeply concerning. With proper measures and management in place the Island and its fishermen would all have a more secure and beneficial future ahead of them.

Nicolas Jouault

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