Over recent months I have been in contact with Mr Martyn Boyce, The Principal Fisheries Officer with the North West and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee regarding a proposal for a new Byelaw to prohibit the retention of tope in the NW&NWSFC jurisdiction. Where as not currently commercially fished for, this Byelaw will effectively stop any potential commercial fishing for tope in the future.

Mr Boyce has confirmed to me that tope stocks have been a topic of general discussion within the North West and North Wales district, however following on from my formal request will now take on an official agenda topic during their next meeting on 19^th of this month, May.

Mr Boyce has asked local Fishery Officers to canvass opinions from local anglers regarding this issue, to help form part of a report to the committee for the 19^th May meeting.

It was reported in the angling press only last year that some commercial anglers on the South East English coast have been exploring the possibility of commercially fishing for tope. Tope is our largest most plentiful sporting fish, and its protection must be guaranteed if we are to safeguard our fishery here on the North West coast for the future.

I urge that all Anglers write to Mr Boyce, detailing their support for such a byelaw.

The address to write to is

Principal Fisheries Officer

Mr Martin Boyce

North Western & North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee

Lancaster University

Bailrigg

Lancaster