Wales's first strategy was launched on Thursday 6 of December by Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones.
The Welsh fishing industry brings around £200m into the Welsh economy and supports about 3,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The draft strategy aims to look at the long –term future of fisheries in Wales, so that the industry can take advantage of opportunities in a sustainable way which does not impact on the environment.
The strategy has identified a number of goals for the fisheries sectors which will service as indicators of the success of the strategy:
• Healthy Fish Stocks-development and management of fisheries at sustainable levels as a part of a healthy and productive ecosystem.
• Positive community role- recognition of fisheries as a positive contribution to the communities in Wales.
• Environment- Fisheries developed and managed in a sustainable way contributing positively to the environmental policies of Wales.
• Partnership Working- to further the partnership working already established between policy makers and those in the industry.
• Economic contribution- Maximising the economic importance and contribution of fisheries to the development of the ‘Wales’ brand on Wales/UK/EU International level.

The Wales Assembly Government intends to publish the responses to this document. Normally, the name and address (or part of the address) of its author are published along with the response, as this gives credibility to the consultation exercise. If you do not wish to be identified as the author of your response, please state this expressly in writing.

Your views on the consultation are sought and should be sent to the Association or to the Fisheries Branch, Environment and Conservation Division of the Welsh Assembly Goverment.

The full document can be viewed online by clicking on the following link:

Fisheries%20strategy.pdf

Members wishing to obtain a full printed copy-please contact the office and we will print it out for you.

Please note that this is the most important document ever published in relation to fishing in Wales