12 November 2004
Mrs Sheryll Murray - Elected Member for Rame
I attended the Planning and Local Economy Panel at Caradon District
Council yesterday afternoon. The Whitsand Bay Marine Sanctuary was on the
agenda for discussion. Tamsyn Butler from Caradon was present at the
Public Meeting. She gave the Panel an outline of comments made by the
Public.
I proposed that Caradon District Council write to Cornwall County
Council requesting the suspension of the Consultation Exercise
and shelving of the project as I have now been given a mandate to
oppose this project from my electorate.
This was agreed to unanimously by the Panel.
I hope you fully understand that until I was provided with a mandate by
the electorate, it was impossible for me to declare my views, even my
personal view. Had I done so I would have been accused of trying to
influence peoples views and as an elected Councillor I feel it would have
been wrong for me to do so.
4
November
2004
Mrs Sheryll Murray - Elected Member for Rame
You
asked for a definitive statement from me. However, all I can do is to ask
that everyone with an opinion completes
the
consultation questionnaire.
There is NO DEFINITIVE PROPOSAL on the table to make a statement about.
When there is I shall provide a statement.
3
November
2004
Mrs Sheryll Murray - Elected Member for Rame
I would emphasise to you, as the democratically elected member of Cornwall
County Council for Rame, my personal opinion has NO BEARING on my
representation in the Council Chamber and if a proposal comes before the
County Council, after the consultation period, I shall represent the
wishes of the majority of people I represent.
I would also emphasise this is a very open and honest consultation
excercise. The responses
will be published on the County Council Website after they have been de
personised.
I fully understand the fears of people that this could be the "thin end of
the wedge".
However, I should point out to you that any MANDATORY closed area needs
legislation to be passed prior to the introduction. This procedure is both
lengthy and costly.
The most likely method of introducing such legislation would be through a
Cornwall Sea Fisheries By-law. This involves widespread consultation with
both DEFRA and the European Commission.
A voluntary Marine Conservation Area is the most achievable way in
which this could be introduced. The St Agnes No Take Zone is an example.
26
October 2004
Mrs Sheryll Murray - Elected Member for Rame
The County Council
have agreed to extend the consultation period to the 30th
November following my representations.
I
have worked very hard to ensure that the consultation period has been
extended and in arranging a Public Meeting at Fourlanesend School on 10th
November 2004.
I will represent the wishes of the people of Rame because that is what
I
am elected to do. I look forward to seeing all interested parties at the
meeting."
Your
website is NOT correct in stating that Angling will not be permitted from
the Shore.
In the questions and answers
- the area referred to in question 7 is the specific area
designated as a "marine sanctuary area".
EACH NOTE STATES THAT ANGLING WILL BE PERMITTED FROM THE SHORE DEPENDING
ON THE OPTION SELECTED.
The reference to a Voluntary catch and release is made because many
Angling Clubs already operate this system. Please not Voluntary doe NOT
mean COMPULSORY.
I accept the document could have been clearer. However, you are wrong in
putting the statement you have on your Website.
I have also written to the Director of Fisheries at DEFRA voicing my
concern about the Dumping Ground and contamination of the sea bed with
silt.
I
hope that my knowledge and research into the Eu and Fisheries Regulations
will assist us in obtaining a clean up of the area.
Having been very aware of the situation, I
have already arranged for a Public Meeting to be held at Fourlanesend
School on November 10th at 7pm. This
is specifically so people from the Rame/Torpoint area are able to question
the Officers of the County Council.
One
other thing that I think may be of interest to anglers and many are not
aware of, is the fact that ALL shore fishing is already controlled by
DEFRA.
for every species of fish subject to Quota Resitrictions (Pressure Stocks)
- plaice, cod, haddock, dover sole, whiting, mackerel etc, the allowance
for the Under 10m Registered Commercial vessels includes shore and leisure
anglers.
This sector is not currently subject to the strict monthly quotas as are
larger vessels although some species such as Chanel Sole and Cod are now
receiving a monthly allocation. However, when the allocation is estimated
to have been used up for a species, a total ban is imposed and this means
it is illegal to catch the species from the shore as well. It has suited
the Ministry to ignore this to date and it is not publicised well.
However, with stricter rules being intorduced all the time it is likely
that the Angling fraternity will be policed in a more stringent way.
The charging element is also for Policing according to Bradley and he
talks about the environment agency policing the licenses.
Hope this helps.
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