Good news for Cornwall and Scilly Fisheries Authorities

Andrew George, MP for the West Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Constituency of St. Ives welcomes the Government's indication that the integrity of the Sea Fisheries Committees (SFCs) for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will be retained when they are replaced by new Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs).

The Government has been reviewing the boundaries of the existing Sea Fisheries Committees before their replacement by the new IFCAs as a result of proposals currently before Parliament in the Marine and Coastal Access Bill.

Elsewhere in the UK, Sea Fisheries Committees cover larger geographical areas than those in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. A report prepared for the Government as part of their review had suggested that in future there should be fewer, larger authorities.

However, Mr George has campaigned to retain the current smaller boundaries around his constituency which he believes bring a greater level of local knowledge to the management of local fisheries.

The Fisheries Minister Huw Irranca-Davies confirmed this morning that he will make an official announcement on the boundaries of the new IFCAs in the next few days. However, he indicated that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are likely to retain their respective authorities rather than be amalgamated into a larger district.

Mr George warmly welcomed the news during the Committee Stage of the Marine Bill in the Commons today. "This is very welcome news, not only for Cornwall, but also for the Isles of Scilly," he said. "The Government's original proposal would have been to the significant detriment of Cornish coastal communities and very bad news for the Scillies. The new Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities will be empowered to set local by-laws to protect the marine environment and to encourage sustainable fisheries."

Mr George has also campaigned to protect separate Cornwall and Isles of Scilly authorities since the Government first mooted the proposal to amalgamate them with a large South of England body five years ago. He described this as "a campaign success".