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A new project to assess the effectiveness of the UK's first No Take Zone at St Agnes, where local fishing groups have closed part of their fishing grounds to improve the sustainability of shellfish stocks, has been launched in Cornwall. A member of staff has also been appointed to develop marine and fisheries conservation projects.
The aim of the project is to monitor the effectiveness of the No Take Zone and to encourage debate on the role of No Take Zones in inshore fisheries management. The 5 year St Agnes Voluntary Shellfisheries No Take Zone Demonstration Trial is funded by the Objective One Fisheries Fund and English Nature with support from Cornwall County Council, Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee and Cornwall Fish Producers Organisation.
"The South West is leading the way in inshore fisheries management with innovative trials to improve the sustainability of the industry" said Philippa Hoskin, who has recently been appointed as the new Marine Development Officer to implement the St Agnes project.
"Projects include Lyme Bay in Devon, where the Wildlife Trust are working with local fishermen to protect sensitive rocky reefs from mobile fishing gear and a proposed Marine Protected Area for part of the Lundy Island Marine Nature Reserve."
"In Cornwall, the St Agnes Quay Fisherman's Association set aside 24 hectare of their usual fishing grounds in 1997, in an attempt to improve the sustainability of local crab and lobster stocks. This Voluntary No Take Zone (area closed to fishing) is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK.
The inshore fishing industry has helped shape many of Cornwall's coastal villages and has significant economic and cultural importance. Shellfishing alone contributes approximately £1.73 million per year to the Cornish economy, supporting 768 fishermen and a further 3,300 people on the shore. However, there are serious concerns about the sustainability of fish stocks, with catches per unit effort decreasing over recent decades in many fisheries.
No Take Zones represent a mechanism for fishermen to take control of local fisheries management, and hopefully, improve the long-term viability of their industry and enhance marine biodiversity.
It is hoped that a network of small No Take Zones around the coast of Cornwall, along with existing measures such as the National Lobster Hatchery at Padstow, minimum landing size and voluntary V-notching of berried lobsters (females with eggs), could secure the future of the lobster and crab fishing industry.
Philippa's appointment means that for first time the County Council will have a dedicated member of staff to develop marine and fisheries conservation projects. Based in the Countryside and Historic Environment Unit, she is responsible for carrying out experimental potting and compliance monitoring at St Agnes. She will also be organising a series of workshops and a No Take Zone roadshow in conjunction with the Cornwall Fish Producers Organisation. She will be available to answer questions and facilitate the establishment of new No Take Zones throughout the county.
Philippa has got a good background to help with her job as she has recently returned from a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship in Australia and New Zealand, researching the use of No Take Zones in sustainable inshore fisheries management.
She spent three months visiting Marine Reserves and interviewing fishermen, marine wardens, fisheries managers and conservationists to find out more about the practicalities of establishing and managing Marine Reserves.
'Everyone had strong views about No Take Zones, whether for or against. But the overwhelming evidence was that No Take Zones can benefit fisheries and conservation. "said Philippa. "In the famous Leigh Marine Reserve in New Zealand, lobster densities have continually increased by about 7% per year in the No Take Zone since it was designated in 1977, and in 1993 they were on average, eight times higher density than populations outside the reserve. In the Tonga Island Marine Reserve, scientists have found nearly 4 times as many spiny lobsters than at nearby fished sites.'
Anyone interested in finding out more about the St Agnes No Take Zone project, hosting a workshop or reading her Fellowship report should contact Philippa Hoskin at County Hall on 01872 322642.
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