Launch of the Consultation for the Wales Fisheries Strategy

Tomorrow, the Welsh Assembly Government is launching its consultation on its first Fisheries Strategy, which pulls together all aspects of fisheries including commercial fishing, aquaculture and recreational fishing. The consultation will be launched by Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, in Milford Haven.

The vision for this Strategy is to support the development of viable and sustainable fisheries in Wales. The draft strategy aims to look at the long-term future of fisheries in Wales, so that the industry can take advantage of opportunities in a sustainable way which does not impact on the environment.

The strategy has identified a number of goals for the fisheries sectors which will service as indicators of the success of the strategy:

• Healthy Fish Stocks - development and management of fisheries at sustainable levels as a part of a healthy an productive ecosystem.
• Positive community role - recognition of fisheries as a positive contribution to the communities in Wales
• Environment - Fisheries developed and managed in a sustainable way contributing positively to the environmental policies of Wales
• Partnership Working – to further the partnership working already established between policy makers and those in the industry.
• Economic contribution – Maximising the economic importance and contribution of fisheries to the development of the ‘Wales’ brand on a Wales/UK/EU/International level.

Fishing is one of the oldest of the rural industries and it continues to provide important employment in rural areas. Fisheries provide the economic and social heart of a number of rural communities around the coasts of Wales where the fishing industries offer important employment opportunities.

The Welsh fishing industry brings around £200m into the Welsh economy and supports about 3,000 direct and indirect jobs.