Following on from a public meeting in Port St Mary a few weeks ago, where over 100 people packed into the Methodist Hall to discuss options for protecting the sea bed off Port St Mary, DEFA Minister Phil Gawne today confirmed that he intends to set up an independent Committee to advise the Department on appropriate measures that would ensure the protection of the valuable marine habitats there, as well as the livelihoods of fishermen.
“I was very impressed by the level of interest on this issue, and the constructive exchange of ideas between the various groups with an interest in the area around Carrick and Perwick Bays. I would like to build on this constructive dialogue, and receive advice from a Committee made up of representatives of these various interests, in time to bring in sensible protection measures before the scallop season re-opens on 1st November.”
“I have already been approached by a number of groups that would like to begin this dialogue, and I think creating a Committee, working to a fixed deadline, is the best way to take this forward. To assist with this, I have asked scientists from Bangor University to run a one day workshop that will give all members a better understanding of the scientific background to the various issues, and will hopefully answer some of the questions raised at the public meeting. This workshop will be open to members of the public, as well as those appointed to the Committee. Full details of the workshop will be made available as soon as the venue and content has been confirmed.”
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