Cornwall Scallop Ban

[Mr. X]

I got my FOI request documents from CSFC and DEFRA last week, but CSFC have kept several documents back "in the public interest" so I think it is fair to say they have something to hide, as I can see no justification for secrecy about the management of a public resource.
Amongst the documents kept back are the consultation responses, as apparently it is "in the public interest" not to release them until a report on them has been prepared for the Committee by the Chief Fisheries Officer (who's idea the whole scallop ban was) I have appealed against this, pointing out that the public interest lies in making the whole process as transparent as possible.
All the information given to the Committee so far has been very biased in favour of the ban, so I think the Chief Officer wants to keep the consultation responses out of the public eye, and just give the Committee his biased version of them (no actual lies of course, just a very selective use of information)
I have turned the heat up so should get the withheld documents pretty soon

cheers
dave
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It might not be quite as suspicious as it first seems. They apparently have to contact those who wrote to them (myself included) to ask permission to pass on their private correspondences, details, etc.. And we can refuse that request.

If the fisheries folk are recruited from fishing communities, as I would expect, then any priorities/preferences/bias may be deeply held. Their friends, families, community and colleagues would leave no paper trail.

 

[Lazuli]

FOI request relating to this issue on whatdotheyknow.com under Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee

CORNWALL SEA FISHERIES DISTRICT ​

www.cornwall.gov.uk/seafisheries ​

EDWIN J DERRIMAN ​

Chief Fishery Officer My Ref: CSFC/EIR/0004 ​

Old Bonded Warehouse ​

Quay Street ​

Penzance Tel: (01736) 369817 ​

Cornwall TR18 4BD Fax: (01736) 331020 ​

Mr J Hartley, by email to J Hartley [xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx] ​

26 May 2009 ​

Dear Mr Hartley ​

Re: Proposed MPA Consultation ​

Thank you for your email dated 20 May 2009, reproduced below: ​

Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee is exploring byelaw options on how to extend a ban on scallop extraction to create an MPA for scallops in the Fal and Helford SAC. Given that the public consultation period has ended, please provide information on the number of objections to the proposed byelaw received by the committee. ​

We are dealing with your request under the Environmental Information Regulations Act 2004. ​

I can confirm that 32 objections were received, which includes 1 late response. ​

A report on the public consultation is expected to be discussed at the next Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee on Friday 26th June 2009. Redacted copies of all responses will be publicly available on Thursday 18th June 2009. Should you require access to these, please contact Democratic Services on 0300 1234 100. ​

As we have fully answered your request for information, please be aware that this request will be closed and archived. ​

Yours sincerely ​

Edwin J Derriman ​

Chief Fishery Officer ​