THE Welsh minister for Rural Affairs, Elin Jones, has issued a written statement is to inform Members of the Welsh Assembly Government that he has made the Scallop Fishing (Wales) Order 2010.

The statement says: “The Order is being brought in to enhance regulation of the scallop dredge industry with the aim of protecting scallop stocks and safeguarding important marine species and habitats whilst maintaining a viable and sustainable scallop industry for fishermen operating in Welsh waters.

“Under the Scallop Fishing (Wales) Order 2005 the fishery was due to open on the 1st November 2009, however, I took the decision to extend the closed season until the 28th February 2010 whilst new regulatory measures were drawn up. The fishery is due to re-open on the 1st March 2010.

“The new regulations include both spatial and technical restrictions which seek to reduce the level of scallop fishing effort in Welsh waters and will also prohibit scallop dredge fishing in several clearly defined areas around the Welsh coast which have been identified as important to vulnerable marine species and habitats. The spatial restrictions are based on advice received from the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) which will be made available on the Welsh Assembly Government website.

“The technical restrictions contained in the Order sets a maximum limit on the engine power of scallop dredging vessels which can access the fishery and also concerns the design of scallop fishing gear which can be used and number of dredges which can be deployed by vessels. With the exception of part of Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC), for which arrangements are described below, all other SACs within Welsh waters will currently remain closed to scallop dredging.

“Survey work undertaken recently in the Cardigan Bay area by Bangor University School of Ocean Sciences in addition to the advice received from CCW has informed my decision to allow scallop dredging in one part of the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC). We will look to undertake similar assessment to that carried recently in one area in Cardigan Bay which could lead to re-evaluation of areas where dredging is currently prohibited,” the statement concludes.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has welcomed the new Scallop Fishing Wales (Order) 2010 saying: “This groundbreaking order demonstrates that the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) has eventually taken note of its legal duties to protect Welsh Special Areas of Conservation (SAC’s) from the damage caused from scallop dredgers. This protection should be afforded to all threatened habitats around the UK but so far only the WAG has made this commitment.

“The new order will ensure that scallop dredging will not be allowed within 1nm of the coast. It also temporarily prohibits scallop dredging in most of the extensive Welsh Special Areas of Conservation (SAC’s) until further habitat surveys can confirm that scalloping is not adversely damaging them.

“MCS support the closure out to one nautical mile, and would like to see this extended to 3 nm. MCS have been campaigning that all commercial fishing in SACs – particularly those with such a potentially damaging ecological footprint, are subjected to environmental assessment before being permitted - finally, it would appear that our advice has been heeded.”

This move comes as a result of two years of campaigning by MCS, scientists and local groups regarding the increased scallop fishing pressure in areas supposedly protected under EC law.

Gill Bell, MCS Welsh Officer, added: “MCS welcome that the Welsh Assembly Government has taken this step towards protecting vulnerable marine areas in Wales from scallop dredging activities. Scientific research has shown that scallop dredgers can seriously damage seabed life and habitats. We hope that this protection will continue to allow sensitive areas of seabed to recover, and to promote a sustainable inshore fishery in Wales.”