Here you will find all the latest information from meeting dates, projects, safety courses and much more. Keep an eye on this page, as soon as something happens we think you should know about it will appear here!
The Marine Bill White Paper was published on the 15th March 2007 which puts forward proposals for legislative measures that will help deliver the Government’s vision of a ‘clean, healthy, safe, productive and diverse oceans and seas’.
Sustainability is the key principle throughout this paper and the main aims are cited as:
• Directing decision-makers and users towards more efficient, sustainable use and protection of our marine resources.
• The change marine licensing regimes.
• To introduce new tools for conservation of marine wildlife.
• Conserving marine ecosystems.
• Setting up a new UK Government Marine Management Organisation to deliver many objectives for the marine area.
This consultation affects the WHOLE of the marine environment, not one species, and therefore affects EVERY ONE OF YOU. It is vital that you relay your thoughts on this paper and this can be done in several ways:
Responses can be sent back to the Development Officer or alternatively via e-mail to marinebillconsultation@defra.gsi.gov.uk or by post to
Marine Legislation Division, Defra, Area 2E, 3-8 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2HH.
RESPONSES SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY NO LATER THAN 8 JUNE 2007.
To read the consultation in full please click
here.
Labels: Consultations
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has recently published a guidance note reminding vessel owners and others of the need to ensure that safe means of access are provided to fishing vessels and other small vessels.
The person responsible for the provision of the access (usually the skipper/owner) should, as required by both Merchant Shipping and HSE legislation, carry out a risk assessment to identify potential hazards and implement appropriate safety precautions to mitigate the risk to an acceptable level. Wherever possible, the person responsible for the provision of the access should deal with hazards in a way that removes them completely.
IT IS VITAL THAT YOU READ THIS DOCUMENT AS FAILURE TO COMPLY COULD RESULT IN A VESSEL BEING PREVENTED FROM LEAVING PORT.
Please click
here to read the guidance note in full.
Labels: Information
Entitled ‘Seafish – our proposed three-year plan 2007-2010’ a new twelve week consultation, ending on Monday 14 May 2007, was published this week.
During 2006 a full review of the structure and principal functions of Seafish was undertaken, looking at what the UK seafood industry needs over the next decade and how it can be provided in a cost effective way. This led to substantial redundancies within Seafish and the recruitment of staff with specific skills in order to implement the work outlined in the plan.
The plan details the proposed projects to be undertaken by Seafish and also financial details of how the industry levy they receive will be spent.
To view the consultation please click
here.
or alternatively contact the office and we will supply you with a hard copy.
REMEMBER we need your comments in order to draft a response that it representative of the Association’s views. Alternatively you can respond directly to Seafish by e-mail at consult@seafish.co.uk .
Labels: Consultations
Does working out your tax give you a headache? Do you dread the tax bill? Don't fear help is at hand!
HM Revenue and Customs has set up a scheme to help fishermen put aside money from each catch so that they can pay their tax and National Insurance on time and automatically when it becomes due.
The scheme aims to simplify your tax bills and gives you access to other benefits including tax credits, and financial services such as loans and mortgages.
Membership of the scheme is voluntary and to sign up fishermen will have to:
· Sign a mandate form which allows HM Revenue and Customs to open a bank account in their name and the boat owner to pay a slice of their earnings into the account.
· Sign a direct debit authority which allows HM Revenue and Customs to take the money from the account in payment of tax and National Insurance.
As part of the scheme, sea going share fishermen can claim a seakit tax allowance, currently £700 tax-free in a year. This covers personal expenses such as bedding, boots, oilskins, protective clothing, gloves, knives and stones.
If anybody is interested in the scheme then please contact the office for further information.
Labels: Information
