Wales King Scallop Advisory Group: terms of reference

1.1. The purpose of the Wales King Scallop Advisory Group (WKSAG) is to advise on the implementation of the King Scallop Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) for England and Wales. The group will be the principal forum for stakeholder engagement and collaboration to improve the king scallop (thereafter referred to as ‘scallop’) fishery in the Welsh Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

1.2. Welsh Ministers are directly responsible under relevant legislation for fisheries management in Wales. Therefore, the stakeholders’ role in co-management of our fisheries is an advisory, rather than a decision-making function. Welsh Ministers greatly value collaboration and advice from stakeholders in decision-making processes.

1.3. The group will prioritise, assist with and advise on the implementation of the actions in the King Scallop FMP. It will evaluate and provide feedback on the effectiveness of policies and plans relating to scallop fisheries management in Wales.

1.4. The group will meet up to 6 times a year.

1.5. As the King Scallop FMP is a joint commitment between the Welsh Government and UK Government, through officials WKSAG will cooperate on joint FMP actions and monitor progress with DEFRA counterparts as appropriate.

1.6. WKSAG and other fishery specific groups will inform the strategic Ministerial Advisory Group for Welsh Fisheries (MAGWF) and keep them appraised of progress.

2.1. Welsh Government officials will organise meetings and chair the group initially, setting out a clear direction.

2.2. A forward plan for the agenda will set out the work of the group but will retain an element of flexibility to include matters arising.  

2.3. Membership and the terms of reference of WKSAG will be reviewed annually.

3.1. The membership of WKSAG is:

Julian Bray - chair, Welsh Government
Alun Mortimer - secretariat, Welsh Government
Ella Brock - Seafish representative
Jim Evans - Welsh Fishermen’s Association representative
Stuart Jones - commercial fisher
Mark Roberts - commercial fisher
John Gorman - commercial fisher
Brett Garner - commercial fisher
Liam Jones - commercial fisher
Graham Green - commercial fisher
Christopher Chambers - commercial fisher
Natalie Hold - independent scientist, Bangor University
Colin Charman - Natural Resources Wales representative
Nicola Cusack - Marine Conservation Society (MCS) / Wales Environment Link (WEL) representative
*vacant*  - commercial buyer / seller
Fisheries Division leads for policy, management, science, enforcement, data and ICT as appropriate - Welsh Government

3.2. The Welsh Government needs group members to represent the views of others, not just individual opinions.

3.3. Meetings are restricted to nominated members and not open to members of the general public.

3.4. If a member is not able to attend a meeting, they may contact the secretariat to propose a deputy to attend in their place with the approval of the chair. Apologies and provision of a deputy’s contact details should be directed to the secretariat.

3.5. The Chair may invite individuals from outside the group to attend specific meetings to discuss or present a subject relevant to the scallop fishing industry or a particular item on the agenda.  

4.1. Members of WKSAG will meet up to 6 times a year on predetermined dates, to be notified in advance. Occasionally there may be a requirement to hold extraordinary meetings of the Group, in which case members will be given at least five working days notice.

4.2. To save time and allow flexibility, the majority of meetings will be held virtually using Microsoft Teams or similar. The Welsh Government will organise meetings and provide members with the details and joining instructions.

4.3. Agendas will normally be issued via email five working days before meetings. Any papers will be provided at the earliest opportunity to allow appropriate consideration by members.

4.4. Members are expected to seek views of those they represent. Papers should not be sent to anyone external to their organisations without prior consent from Welsh Government. Any information sharing should also adhere to data protection requirements.

5.1. Secretariat will be provided by the Welsh Government’s Fisheries Division, who will act as a central point for all communications.
 
5.2. ‘Action’ style minutes will be taken of each meeting and shared with members for approval. All queries should be directed to the Secretariat.

5.3. All papers will be published on the Marine & Fisheries scallop fishery web pages once the minutes have been approved.