Decommissioning of Fishing Vessels Scheme 2007

rose to move, That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Decommissioning of Fishing Vessels Scheme 2007. The noble Lord said: This is an important issue on an industry that is of great importance to coastal communities. I have come armed with a long and a short speech. In view of what has just happened, and because this is very important for the communities concerned, I will read the short speech but use the information in the long version for any questions that might arise, which would be more appropriate. The statutory instrument allows us to set up a decommissioning scheme for vessels of more than 10 metres operating in the western channel sole fishery—area VIIe. The statutory instrument covers the criteria that fishermen and fishing vessels must meet to be eligible for decommissioning; namely, details of how they apply for a decommissioning grant, details of how we award a decommissioning grant and details of what successful applicants must do once they have been offered a decommissioning grant. The Government have rejected a general decommissioning scheme open to all vessels more than 10 metres long because previous schemes have not proved effective in reducing fleet capacity or good value in terms of good conservation. Repeated decommissioning schemes create an expectation which delays fishermen making assessments on whether to remain in the industry. We believe that there is a case for introducing a decommissioning scheme for beam trawlers in the western channel sole fishery. The scheme will let vessel owners make an assessment on whether they remain in the fishery, diversify or leave the industry. They will be able to get a long-term view of prospects for the fishery under the terms of the plan. Scientific evidence shows stock here is at or near an historically low level. I fully understand that fishermen do not always agree with scientists. I have not had responsibilities in England for this, but I did during the brief period I was in Northern Ireland. Nevertheless, the UK has been negotiating a long-term management plan with the European Commission because of low stock levels. We want the levels to be sustainable for those vessels remaining in the industry. Running a small, targeted decommissioning scheme for beam trawlers in the area covered by the management plan is most likely to offer value for money and success for the conservation of the stock. We will keep the basic eligibility criteria that have applied for previous schemes. The vessel must be at least 10 metres in length, at least 10 years old and registered as a fishing vessel in the United Kingdom. It must be currently licensed and that licence must show it is administered at an English port. The vessel must have fished for at least 75 days in each of the two periods of 12 months immediately preceding the date of application for the scheme. Vessels must also be allowed to spend days fishing for sole in the western channel to qualify. The Government have put aside £5 million, which should allow for the decommissioning of up to 12 boats. We recognise the industry’s concerns that the maximum payments under the financial instruments for fisheries guidance regulations scheme are not high enough to cover the current values for vessels and licences. We have therefore spoken to the Commission about this, and it has agreed to us paying more. We have set our own maximum level of £3,500 per tonne for the bids, based on consultation; that is about 16 per cent higher than the current EU maximum, which is £2,800. We have done this to encourage applications for the scheme. Full utilisation of the available funds will offer the sole management plan the best chance of success, and therefore aid conservation of the sole stocks. I realise, as will all Members, that fishing is a community-centred activity by its nature. There have been one or two other industries—coal-mining is another—where the community is highly involved. It is geographically concentrated in small communities on parts of the coast, and is a challenging and unsafe occupation with accidents and deaths at work. There are difficulties with the quota restrictions, fish prices and the weather. Even today, going out to fish remains one of the most dangerous occupations. I pay tribute to all those on the sea. However, there comes a time where we must take action if fish stocks are a problem. This is part of the necessary action. There has been full consultation with the industry and there is, by and large, an acceptance of this small, highly targeted decommissioning scheme. I beg to move. Moved, That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Decommissioning of Fishing Vessels Scheme 2007. 9th Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee.—(Lord Rooker.)