The report presents the main findings from the work programme which forms part of the National Development Strategy for the Shellfish Industry in England.
The work programme was commissioned by the Defra Inshore Fisheries Working Group and Seafish, and was supported by the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG).
The Executive Report describes the results for six ‘tasks’ that were assigned to the consultant, Dr R C A Bannister, a renowned expert on the management of the capture shellfisheries and their stocks. A CD-rom containing the full report is packaged within the Executive Report.
Peter Hunt, Director of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain who contributed to the work said: "This is an incredibly important document as the first, definitive, in-depth analysis of the shellfish industry. It provides details of the nature of the industry; what different species can be found, and where, around our coast; and what constraints and opportunities exist within the industry. It encompasses all facets of the subject including production, employment and rural development."
Sue Utting of Seafish, who co-ordinated the project said: "This Report was commissioned to provide an up-to-date picture of the shellfish industry in England. It is an extremely comprehensive review of the shellfish capture and cultivation sectors, drawing together production data from Defra and Sea Fisheries Committees, and highlights the very important role that shellfish plays in the English and UK economies.
Many of the recommendations made in this report, will be explored further in the forthcoming 'National Development Strategy for the Shellfish Industry in England'. These include the need for reliable data on shellfish stocks; effective management of these stocks; and the sustainable development of the industry."
The report can be downloaded by clicking here.
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