Fisheries Act 2020

PART 1 Joint fisheries statement

Introductory

1 (1) This Part applies in relation to the preparation and publication by the fisheries policy authorities of—

(a) a JFS, or

(b) amendments of a JFS.

(2) In this Part “the relevant document” means the document mentioned in sub-paragraph (1).

Consultation

2 (1) The fisheries policy authorities acting jointly must—

(a) prepare a draft (“the consultation draft”) of the relevant document,

(b) publish the consultation draft in such manner as they consider appropriate, and

(c) take such steps as they consider appropriate to secure that the consultation draft is brought to the attention of interested persons.

(2) Each of the fisheries policy authorities must, in settling the final text of the relevant document, have regard to any representations made to them about the consultation draft.

(3) In this paragraph “interested persons” means—

(a) any persons appearing to the fisheries policy authorities to be likely to be interested in, or affected by, the policies contained in the consultation draft, and

(b) members of the general public.

Requirement to lay consultation draft before appropriate legislature

3 (1) Each of the fisheries policy authorities must—

(a) specify a period (“the scrutiny period”) for scrutiny of the consultation draft by the appropriate legislature, and

(b) on or before the first day of that period lay a copy of the consultation draft before the appropriate legislature.

(2) Sub-paragraph (3) applies if, during the scrutiny period—

(a) an appropriate legislative body passes a resolution with regard to the consultation draft, or

(b) an appropriate legislative committee makes a recommendation with regard to the consultation draft.

(3) The fisheries policy authority must lay before the appropriate legislature a statement setting out its response to the resolution or recommendation.

(4) In this paragraph—

• “the appropriate legislature” means—

  (a)

  where the fisheries policy authority is the Secretary of State, Parliament;

  (b)

  where the fisheries policy authority is the Scottish Ministers, the Scottish Parliament;

  (c)

  where the fisheries policy authority is the Welsh Ministers, Senedd Cymru;

  (d)

  where the fisheries policy authority is the Northern Ireland department, the Northern Ireland Assembly;

• “an appropriate legislative body” means—

  (a)

  where the fisheries policy authority is the Secretary of State, either House of Parliament;

  (b)

  where the fisheries policy authority is the Scottish Ministers, the Scottish Parliament;

  (c)

  where the fisheries policy authority is the Welsh Ministers, Senedd Cymru;

  (d)

  where the fisheries policy authority is the Northern Ireland department, the Northern Ireland Assembly;

• “an appropriate legislative committee” means a committee of an appropriate legislative body;

• “the consultation draft” means the draft prepared and published under paragraph 2.

Publication of the relevant document

4 (1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies where—

(a) each fisheries policy authority has complied with paragraphs 2 and 3, and

(b) the fisheries policy authorities have decided on the final text of the relevant document.

(2) The fisheries policy authorities acting jointly must publish the relevant document as soon as reasonably practicable.