The new regulations seek to reduce the level of scallop fishing in Welsh waters. It will also prohibit scallop dredging in several clearly defined areas around the Welsh coast which have been identified as important to vulnerable marine species and habitats. This will help maintain a viable and sustainable scallop industry for fishermen operating in Welsh waters.

Elin Jones said: "My decision to introduce these regulations follows a significant increase in scallop dredging activity within Cardigan Bay over recent years.

"The new regulations will protect scallop stocks and safeguard important marine species and habitats through a range of technical and spatial restrictions.

"The technical measures introduced will enhance management of the scallop fishery in Welsh waters, while the spatial restrictions will control the activity in areas which have been identified as important to vulnerable marine species and habitats. With the exception of part of the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC), all other SACs within Welsh waters will currently remain closed to scallop dredging.

"Following a 10-week consultation, as well as recent survey work undertaken in the Cardigan Bay area by Bangor University and advice received from the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), I have decided to allow scallop dredging in one part of the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

"We will look to undertake a similar assessment to that carried out recently in one area of Cardigan Bay, which could lead to re-evaluation of areas where dredging is currently prohibited."

New regulations include:

From 2011, shortening the length of the open season by one month (i.e. scallop fishing will be prohibited between 1 May - 31 October each year)
Prohibiting dredging for scallops in the 0-1 nautical mile area all around the Welsh coast
A prohibition of dredging for scallops in certain areas which have been identified as important to vulnerable marine species and habitats.
A restriction on the numbers of dredges allowed in Welsh waters
A limit on the maximum vessel engine power

Keith Davies, Countryside Council for Wales' Head of Environment Policy said: "The Countryside Council for Wales welcomes the Minister's decision, which provides the basis, for the first time in Wales, for a strategic framework to help ensure management of viable and sustainable scallop fisheries in Wales whilst conserving important marine species and habitats. The Welsh Assembly Government and Countryside Council for Wales will continue to work in partnership and make every effort to improve the health of our seas for the benefit of both wildlife and for those whose livelihoods depend upon them."

Notes

The Scallop Fishing (Wales) Order 2010 can be viewed at http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm.

An illustrative chart showing the spatial restrictions can be viewed on the Welsh Assembly Government fisheries webpage

(wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/foodandfisheries).

Officials are continuing to work with the industry to develop future management measures for the fishery.