Wales’ Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, has announced that there will be no change to the existing regulations governing scallop fishing, and that the scallop fishery in Welsh waters will open on 1 November 2010.
In March 2010, the Minister introduced new regulations to manage the scallop fishery in Welsh waters through a range of technical and spatial restrictions. The purpose of those new regulations was to maintain a viable and sustainable scallop industry in Welsh waters, whilst safeguarding important marine species and habitats.
The regulations prohibit scallop dredging in several clearly defined areas around the Welsh coast which have been identified as important to vulnerable marine species and habitats. In addition, the scallop fishing open season was shortened by one month, meaning scallop fishing is prohibited between 1 May – 31 October.
Elin Jones said:
“After careful consideration of the Scallop Fishery in Welsh waters, I have come to the conclusion that no additional measures are required to manage the Fishery. The Welsh Assembly Government is continuing to assess both the areas and stocks of this important fishery within Welsh waters.”
Therefore, as per the Scallop Fishing (Wales) (No.2) Order 2010, fishing will commence on 1 November 2010 and cease on 30 April 2011.
