Agenda item

The Kent and Essex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority will be in attendance to undertake a brief presentation to the Committee on consultations concerning closure of an area of the estuary to all fishing activities so as to protect juvenile fish that are reliant on habitats.

Discussion:

The Chairman welcomed Tom Clegg and Will Wright from the Kent and Essex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (KEIFCA)

The Chairman also welcomed Shane Hales, Paul Starling and Peter Starling from Rochester Oyster Floating Fisheries (ROFF).

The Committee received a presentation from Tom Clegg on the closure of an area of the estuary to all fishing activities as a ‘no take zone’ so as to protect juvenile fish that are reliant on these habitats.

A summary of points raised as a part of the presentation included:

·         The preservation of the river as the cultural and historic heart of Medway is of critical importance

·         That the no take zone, as a ‘Medway Nursery Area’, to protect juvenile fish would be vital to replenish adult stocks of fish and would be the largest ‘no take zone’ in the United Kingdom

·         Bass were a species of fish that needed this kind of protected habitat  as they have slow growth and late maturity and were also highly vulnerable to overfishing as they have a tendency to gather in specific sites

·         Surveys have shown a rapid decline in adult Bass populations since 2012 and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) had advised that to sustain their population none should be caught in 2017

·         Saltmarsh and mudflats are vital feeding and shelter areas

·         Medway has lost 70% of its Salt Marshes since 1850

·         The remaining Salt Marshes are the habitat of close to 50 species of rare bird

·         The recent and successful River Festival was used to inform the public of the no take zone to protect fish populations and of its importance

·         The work undertaken to establish the ‘no take zone’ had been undertaken in conjunction with both the Rochester Oyster Floating Fisheries and the Environment Agency.

·         Research projects and surveys still planned on the estuary

The Committee then viewed a short video on the estuary and the recent River Festival.

Shane Hales, Chamberlain of ROFF, stated that both he and his colleagues fully endorsed the proposals and the presentation by KEIFCA.

The Committee discussed a number of the points raised and both KEIFCA and ROFF answered questions as follows:

·         In response to a query confirmation was given by Shane Hales that both ROFF and KEIFCA would be responsible for policing the ‘no take zone’. He explained that ROFF had taken action against poaching on the river many times over the years.

·         A Member expressed a view that this project had educational benefits for Medway’s children in explaining the source of food and therefore should be fully supported.

·         In response to a question on the choice of area for the ‘no take zone’, Will Wright confirmed that this site had been selected after consultation with the local fishing community as it was a prime area for a nursery for juvenile fish. He also explained the benefits scientifically in having such a large no take zone in close proximity to London and a number of Universities.

·         In response to a concern raised by a Member that local fishing businesses might be affected by the ‘no take zone’,  Paul Starling, Freeman of the ROFF, assured the Committee that the impact on business would be quite light.

·         In response to a question on pollution in the river, Tom Clegg advised the Committee that the increasing population of Smelt was an indicator that there had been great improvement in the cleanliness of the water. He informed the Committee that Smelt require good water quality and that they had been coming back to the river in large numbers in recent years.

·         Shane Hales expressed a view that the ROFF hope the success of the ‘no take zone’ in the Medway would encourage other areas to establish similar ‘no take zones’.

·         Will Wright confirmed that KEIFCA had looked at Medway Council’s policies and strategic plans and had produced a report on how their activities adhered to this. He stated that he would be happy to send this report to Medway Council to be distributed to Members for their information.

Decision:

The Committee thanked the representatives from KEIFCA and the ROFF for attending the meeting, their excellent work on raising the profile of the river and giving a presentation on the closure of part of the estuary from fishing activities as a ‘no take zone’ to protect juvenile fish and agreed that;

a)         The presentation from KEIFCA be noted;

b)         The Committee receive a further briefing from the Kent and Essex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority on the project in 12 months;

c)         A copy of the report referred to by the Kent and Essex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority be supplied and circulated to Members of the Committee.