ANGLERS’ catches on charter vessels fishing in local waters are set to be regulated or restricted. The Commerce and Employment Department is consulting on proposals to handle the burgeoning sector.

It believes that change is inevitable to address concerns about raiding fish stocks.

‘We would like to regulate it in some way,’ said a Sea Fisheries spokesman.

‘At the moment it is completely unregulated and we don’t think that’s right.

‘Quite clearly something needs to be done to resolve the conflicts which are there to manage the stock in the future to avoid pillaging stock for short-term gain.’

The department claims that significant quantities of high-value species such as turbot and bass are being landed.

Various sources indicate that charter anglers matched the seven tonnes of turbot caught commercially last year. That fishery is reported to be down this year.

The department can impose catch restrictions more easily on the commercial fleet as legislation is already in place.

‘The unrecorded landing of large quantities of fish from charter vessels undermines the fishing vessel licensing scheme,’ said the spokesman.

‘Such activity could have, for no clear purpose, a negative influence on the abundance of commercial and sport fishing species in Bailiwick waters.’

Jersey has tackled the issue by licensing vessels for charter trips, but Guernsey is considering alternatives.

Sea Fisheries is proposing a total catch allowance on such vessels within local waters, controlled by the master.

A seven-person charter would be permitted to retain onboard, at any time, a maximum of 14 of seven different species, including turbot, brill, bass and cod.

The move has been planned for 18 months and should address concerns from the licensed fleet about overfishing.

Alderney and Sark will also be consulted and encouraged to implement similar restrictions. Comment is invited until 13 October.

*The fishing effort by charter angling vessels operating within Bailiwick waters has increased markedly in recent years.

In 1998, 11 visited Alderney and fished for 177 days. This increased to 20 boats and 356 days in 2004.

This year there are at least 50 charter boats offering trips to Alderney until next month.

Most do not have licences and benefit from a derogation in licensing legislation that allows recreational angling on vessels where the fishing is done wholly for pleasure. The catch cannot be sold.

Main species targeted are turbot and brill on the Schole and Casquets banks; conger, pollack, ling and cod in the Hurd Deep; and bass over reef marks.