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Ein cyf/Our ref: Eich cyf/Your ref:
Ebost/Email: ceri.davies@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk Ffôn/Phone: 03000 654248
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Committee Clerk
Environment and Sustainability Committee
National Assembly for Wales
Cardiff Bay
CF99 1NA
RE: European Commission`s proposals to ban driftnet fishing
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the potential impact of the European Commission`s proposals to ban driftnet fishing.
Natural Resources Wales did not respond to the EU's 2014 consultation to ban drift net fishing but would support the restriction of any European fishery types that impact species of nature conservation concern such as turtles, mammals and seabirds.
It would appear that the EU proposal, as it currently stands, would disproportionately affect Welsh fishermen operating low impact sustainable drift net fisheries. NRW would support a regionalised evidenced based approach to the management of Welsh drift net fishing in line with the new CFP and the use of technology such as pingers where appropriate.
Yours sincerely,
Ceri Davies
Executive Director for Knowledge, Strategy & Planning