Conservation: Environmental Impact of fishing
Consultation on measures to protect the Fal and Helford Special Area of Conservation (SAC) from the impacts of fishing with dredges and other towed gear
Defra is consulting on impacts and consequences of a proposal to close the whole outer area of the Fal and Helford Special Area of Conservation (the Designated Area) to scallop dredging and demersal trawls. Historically activity has been low but there was a significant increase in scallop dredging in the SAC in 2006 which made the threat to the SAC more apparent. 5.
The Fal and Helford Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is a sheltered marine and estuarine site within Falmouth Bay off the southern Cornish coast. It was identified as a candidate SAC in 1996 under the Habitats Directive and has subsequently been designated for a number of habitats and features.
Consultation on proposals aimed at protecting biodiversity in Lyme Bay
This consultation closed after an extended period on 21 December 2007. The purpose of the consultation was to invite views on proposals to protect the biodiversity of Lyme Bay. Last year Defra reached a voluntary agreement with the South West Inshore Scallopers Association to stop fishing in four areas of Lyme Bay. At the time we made it clear that we would consult more widely on the possibilities for protecting biodiversity in Lyme Bay. A summary of responses is now available.
Ban on pair trawling for bass
Pair trawling for bass in the south west of England has been demonstrated to have high levels of cetacean by-catch. Defra took measures to ban pelagic pair trawling for bass by UK vessels within 12 miles of the south west coast of England in December 2004 when research showed that there was no technical solution for reducing the levels of by-catch.
- For further information - Bass pair-trawling
The environmental impact of fishing
The European Commission's proposals for reform of the Common Fisheries Policy include an action plan on the environmental impact of fishing. The action plan builds on the progress that has been made in recent years in integrating the environmental concerns into fisheries management. Two examples of this are the ban on drift net fishing for tuna, swordfish and other marine species and research to reduce by catch of dolphins and porpoises.
Drift net ban
The unacceptable level of casualties to dolphins and other non-target species accidentally killed by drift nets had been a matter of concern for a number of years. During the UK's presidency of the EU in 1998, Member States agreed a ban, which came into force on 1 January 2002 on the use of drift nets for tuna, swordfish and other marine species.
Page last modified: 7 March 2008
Page published: 14 December 2007