Scottish Government

ISBN 0 7559 2958 6 (Web only publication)
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February 2005

Dear SFIA Stakeholders,

This letter invites your comments on proposals for the future of the Sea Fish Industry Authority. Your comments would be welcome by 5 May.

The four Fisheries Ministers in the UK are jointly responsible for the SFIA. Like all bodies of this type it is regularly reviewed by Ministers to ensure its continued relevance, effectiveness and quality. An independent review was carried out in 2005, and the report by the reviewers is attached.

Ministers have considered the reviewers' report, and the second document attached to this letter contains Ministers' proposed response to the findings, including proposals for changes.

The management of the SFIA have been consulted by the reviewers, and have had the opportunity to comment on Ministers' thinking. The SFIA Board have been planning changes to their strategy and operations for some time and are keen to incorporate the issues raised in the report and Ministers' views. We understand they are intending to consult stakeholders over the coming months in developing their operational plans.

We suggest that having read the attached papers you may wish to take part in dialogue with the SFIA over the next two to three months in order to explore what the SFIA can offer your organisation. In the light of your discussions with the SFIA we would then welcome your comments by the end of the consultation period.

Ministers will then take decisions in the light of the comments received.

In line with our policy of openness, at the end of the consultation period copies of the responses we receive may be made publicly available through:

The information they contain may also be published in a summary of responses.

If you do not consent to this, you must clearly request that your response be treated confidentially. Any confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system in email responses will not be treated as such a request. You should also be aware that there may be circumstances in which Defra or NAW will be required to communicate information to third parties on request, in order to comply with its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations. All respondents should be aware that the Scottish Executive is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2002 and would therefore have to consider any request made to it under the Act for information relating to responses made to this consultation exercise. Any queries about FOI or EIR should be directed to accesstoinfo@defra.gsi.gov.uk or foi@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

The Information Resource Centre will supply copies of consultation responses to personal callers or in responses to telephone or email requests (020 7238 6575, defra.library@defra.gsi.gov.uk). Wherever possible, personal callers should give the library at least 24 hours' notice of their requirements. An administrative charge will be made to cover photocopying and postage costs.

If you have any comments about the conduct of this consultation exercise please contact:

or email consultation.coordinator@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Fisheries Directors of the four Fisheries Administrations in the UK