The MMO are currently set to introduce "e-notices" or electronic notification of changes to licence variations in England. The letter below was part of the consultation process carried out earlier this year in a bid to cut the amount of irrelevant paperwork generated and sent to fishermen around the English coast. TtG is not sure if this letter From the MMO inviting feedback was sent to all fishermen in England.
"We propose to replace the issue of paper variations with electronic notices of variation to all fishing vessel licences in England by publishing the notices on the MMO website. Licence holders, or their nominees, will be notified in advance via email or sms text message alerts of any changes to be made to their licence and they can then view the licence variation on the MMO website. The front page of the licence will still be issued as a paper document, as is current practice, and must be made available for on board inspection.The table below (identified during the consultation period) indicates the amount of money the new system will save tax payers.
This informal consultation (England only) sets out policy proposals for introducing a system of electronic notification of variations to fishing licences in England which will replace the current system of paper variations. EU legislation requires that all commercial fishing vessels must have a valid fishing licence and authorisation. In England, fishing licences and their variations are currently issued in paper format and must be produced on request to Enforcement Officers during inspection. This is a costly, resource intensive and time consuming process for the Marine Management Organisation and fishermen. The intention is to amend The Sea Fishing (Licences and Notices) Regulations 1994 No. 2813 to allow for the introduction of an electronic system of notifying licence variations. We aim for this to take effect on 6 April 2012. The new system will be implemented and administered by the Marine Management Organisation once the Licence Order has been amended. Licence variations will be published on the MMO website. Licence holders, or their nominees, will be notified in advance via email or sms text message alerts of any changes to to their licence and can then view the variation on the MMO website. The front two pages of the licence will still be issued as a paper document, as is current practice, and must be available for on board inspection."
Covering the story on their breakfast show, BBC Radio Cornwall spoke to Newlyn trawler skipper Tom McClure about the changes and then defra spokesperson, Nick Wright gave his response to questions regarding the implementation of the scheme.