This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New protection for Galloway shellfish stocks
11/06/2004
The Executive today took steps to help conserve
shellfish stocks in the south-west of Scotland.
An order which was laid in the Parliament and is
expected to come into force on July 5, 2004 introduces a
maximum length of 12 metres for vessels using creels in
Luce Bay and Wigtown Bay.
This new measure will aid continuing efforts to conserve
crab, whelk, lobster and other shellfish stocks in
Scotland's inshore waters and help local fishermen who are
dependent on the stocks.
Environment and Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie
said:
"In managing Scotland's inshore fisheries, the Scottish
Executive is determined to balance economic and
environmental interests. Our aim is to achieve sustainable
inshore fisheries.
"The measure that we are introducing today will
contribute to the conservation of Galloway's important
shellfish stocks. It will also help safeguard the jobs of
local fishermen whose livelihoods depend on those
stocks."
The new measure prohibits fishing with creels from
vessels longer than 12m in Luce Bay and in Wigtown Bay, and
is intended to stabilise effort on the shellfish stocks in
these areas. Vessels fishing with mobile gear are not
affected by this measure.
An Order, under the Inshore Fishing (Scotland) Act 1984,
has been laid in the Scottish Parliament and should come
into force on July 5, 2004. The Order also consolidates
the Inshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing and Fishing
Methods) (Scotland) Order 1989.