The St Agnes voluntary "No Take Zone", the first of it’s kind in Europe and has gained crucial Objective 1 funds to assist with its monitoring.

In 1997 the St Agnes Quay Fishermen’s Association designated part of their usual shellfish fishing grounds as a voluntary no take zone. This closed area, where the fishermen have agreed not to fish, is an attempt to conserve crab and lobster stocks.

Objective 1 Fisheries grants will provide three years funding to help the project to assess its effectiveness as a tool for helping inshore fisheries stocks around the coast. If it is a success, there is a chance that further areas will be designated by fishermen.

The project will employ a project officer to raise awareness, tagging and measure lobsters and promote the No Take Zone debate in Cornwall. The project will be managed by Cornwall County Council’s countryside and Historic Environment unit.

Alison Elvey, Objective One Fisheries Programme Manager is pleased with the outcome "No Take Zones are believed to be one of the most effective ways to conserve fishstocks. It is exciting that the fishing industry in Cornwall is being pro-active in developing projects to ensure the long term future of fish stocks and fishing communities. It is great that Objective 1 can support projects which have come from fishermen’s associations such as St Agnes, and could be of wider benefit to the industry as a whole."

Steve Crummay, Countryside Officer for Cornwall County Council commented, "This project is the first of its kind in Europe and we hope it will demonstrate the benefits that No Take Zones can have towards sustaining fisheries that are under ever increasing pressures. The great strength of this project is the partnership between the county council, DEFRA, South West PESCA and most importantly the local fisherman and community at St Agnes".

Mr. Bert Biscoe CC, Environment portfolio holder for Cornwall County Council said, "This is the first of what the County Council hopes will be a number of Objective 1 supported projects that will contribute directly to the sustainability of the key economic activities in Cornwall whilst having a positive impact on the environment that makes the County such a unique place."