Protection of reefs won’t restrict access

Monday 6th February 2012, 2:57PM GMT.

Greater protection for reefs such as the Ecréhous will not reduce public access

PLANS to give greater protection to Jersey’s four main offshore reefs will not restrict access to the popular islets, the Island’s marine and coastal officer has said.

The management plans announced earlier this week are designed to help conserve wildlife on the Minquiers, the Paternosters, the Ecréhous and the Dirouilles reefs, which, along with an area along the south-east coast, are all designated Ramsar sites.

The plans have been launched following the publication of a management plan for the south-east Ramsar site last year.

The plans, created by the Ramsar management committee, which comprises States and parish officials as well as other representatives, include creating a code of conduct for those who visit the sites, ensuring an appropriate fisheries management policy is in place and better educating Islanders on the importance of the reefs.

But Greg Morel, the Island’s marine and coastal officer, said that the plans would not affect access to the reefs.

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1
percy egre

February 6, 2012 at 4:13 pm

what a joke how are they going to enforce anything. look at the southeast Ramsar site, vehicles driving up and down the beach, indiscriminate netting taking place in the gullies efecting fish stocks. I give up, it is easy to say words that lack action

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2
Raindog

February 6, 2012 at 9:11 pm

Have to agree with Mr Egre. I have seen 4 wheel drive vehicle being driven down the gullies in order for set nets and trots to be placed.

On the bright side – the French look set to increase the Minimum Landing Size of bass to 42cm. As Jersey have previously asked the French to consider an increase within the Bay of Grainville, Jersey must now surely follow suit. So finally there may be some protection of our bass stock – probably 15 years too late but at least its a start.

Then maybe something will be done about the netting – whole gullies blocked off is not acceptable. If netting is to continue there needs to be a restriction in the length of the net and only be placed across say a half or a quarter width of the gully. This is a real problem but one which will continue to be ignored because it will be unpopular as some people believe they have a right to take as many fish as they want. This attitude needs to be changed and people need to learn to fish with responsibility and respect for fish stocks and the environment.

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3
Nicolas Jouault

February 6, 2012 at 11:28 pm

The Ramsar authority previously undertook a public consultation and never published the results. I would be surprised if the public agreed to unrestricted access to the reefs as. Protection should be afforded to the wildlife and managed properly,these areas are some of the few remaining refuges for wildlife and as such should be maintained and enhanced.
For the record we have seen a deterioration in the areas since they were designated under Ramsar with an increased impact and threats. Who in their right mind would place an incinerator and resulting waste next to and onto a Ramsar site? And now we are spending a very large budget to liaise with the French on the feasibility of becoming part of a “Marine park” Instead I sugest we set aside one percent of our sea as a marine reserve that will benefit and maintain the marine ecosystem for the long term benefit of the commercial interests such as fishing and tourism for the benefit of all, instead of placating the current short term interests of the minority. But is there a politician or civil servant who has will to tackle the short term commercial interests?

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