Minimum Size Limits for Chancre Crabs
Launch date: 07/05/2019
Review status: Comments published
What is the review about?
On the 3rd April 2019, the Minister for the Environment lodged the Draft Sea Fisheries (Minimum Size Limits) (Amendment no. 7) (Jersey) Regulations 201-. P.41/2019, which essentially seeks to increase the Minimum Landing Size (MLS) of chancre crabs from 14cm to 15cm (140mm – 150mm), in an attempt to enable the species to recover following a recent decline in numbers.
P.41/2019 states:
"Catches of chancre crab have been in decline since 2012, when 507 tonnes were landed from Jersey waters by the local fleet. By 2018, landings had halved to 247 tonnes."
The proposition was stimulated by research undertaken by the Jersey Fishermen's Association (JFA). The proposition goes on to note:
"A legislative change is required so that all commercial and recreational fishing boats and low-water fishers operating within Jersey's territorial waters will be subject to the new minimum landing size."
The proposition is due for States debate on 21st May 2019.
Review progress
The Panel will undertake a short review of the proposals, based on information provided by the Department for Growth, Housing and Environment, in addition to seeking the stakeholder views of the Jersey Fishermen's Association and Jersey Marine Conversation.
Terms of reference
The Panel will issue a Comments paper on the proposition ahead of the debate on 21st May 2019.
