Over 50 people, from a wide cross-section of interested parties and members of the public, attended the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum public meeting and Fisheries and Aquaculture Topic Group meeting held at the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College, on Saturday. The bi-annual meeting was introduced by Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum's chairman, Nick Ainger MP, followed by a report on the Forum's many activities for the past seven months by assistant facilitation officer, Daryl Walsh. These included an update on the recreation audit of all such activities around the coast of South West Wales which will assist in the planning and management of the coastal zone to ensure its protection and future well-being. Tom Luddington, the team's activities liaison officer, reported on The Pembrokeshire Marine Code and Outdoor Charter, both of which have been developed in consultation with dive and wildlife boat operators and the operators of coastal activities to establish codes of practice to minimise impact on habitat and wildlife. Tonia Forsyth, coastal facilitation officer, followed with details on the Forum's finance and future activities and projects. The Fisheries and Aquaculture Topic Group session, chaired by Stephen Thompson, then took to the stage to address the subject of the future of Inshore Fisheries in Pembrokeshire. In order for all present to better understand the issues involved, Jeremy Percy, chief executive of the Welsh Federation of Fishermens Association, reviewed different methods of fishing, the need to adequately manage fisheries to secure future stocks and ways for fishing to benefit the local economy. Phil Newman, of the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve (MNR), outlined the Countryside Council for Wales' responsibility with respect to fisheries and how fishing affected the MNR, highlighting the need for discussion between fishermen and conservationists. Sue Burton, the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC officer, then emphasised that there were common goals in that it was in the interest of all to protect the marine environment so that there were fish there in the future. An open discussion and debate followed. Issues that were aired included lack of local economic benefit from the fish/shellfish available in Pembrokeshire waters, fishing litter in the form of both nets and line, sourcing sustainable fish to buy, and whether the Marine Bill would bring benefits without extra resourcing. This open public debate on specific coastal issues is just part of the work of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum who act as independent, un-biased, catalysts and facilitators of such dialogue and communication by all those parties who are concerned and affected by the health of our coastal zone, whether they be national and local organisations, individual operators and businesses, or the general public. For more information on the work of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, or how to join one of the topic groups to become more involved, please email [email protected]">[email protected] or visithttp://www.pembrokeshirecoastalforum.org.uk">www.pembrokeshirecoastalforum.org.uk
