Join Us:
Please contact us for a memership application form.
Who we are: Our Association was formalised in the late 1960's by shellfishermen working from ports in South Devon. Through hard work and much negotiation with mobile gear colleagues and fishery managers, the IPA and Mid Channel blocks were created; both providing zoned access for different fishing activities. Our members continue to work actively with other Associations and groups, as well as management authorities across the country to secure a sustainable and profitable fishing industry in South Devon and beyond.
How we work: We are a 'friendly society'' governed by the rules of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act. SD&CS Ltd. is managed by a committee, whose members are elected at the AGM and remain in post for 3 years. The management committee usually meet in Kingsbridge on the evening of the first Wednesday of every other month to discuss current news and matters pertaining to our activities. All members are welcome to attend and/or put forward items for the agenda.
Committee: Our committee consists of our Chairman, David Morgan, who has more than 30 years fishing experience and is a member of Devon and Severn IFCA committee. He is supported by a number of working fishermen ranging from skippers of inshore, artisanal vessels to those working offshore at various locations around the UK and near continent. The Committee is further supported by a full time Executive Officer, who works to advance the interests of SD&CS Ltd. and its members.
Affiliations: We are group members of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain and we have members active in the NFFO executive committee.
Involvement: We are active in many forums of relevance to commercial fisheries in the SW and beyond. To name but a few: Shellfish industry advisory group, national shellfish fisheries plan, crab and lobster management group, whelk management group, SW crab and lobster fisheries improvement plan, Seafish SW regional advisory group, SW regional fisheries group, DEFRA national inshore fisheries discussion group, JFS community of interest, MSC SW crab and lobster FIP, South Coast Fishermen's Council and many more. We also actively work with the scientific community.
How we charge:
For vessels over 6.5m, the annual subscription is calculated on a percentage of your turnover covering your last Financial Year. The percentage charged is currently 0.5% of the vessel turnover on all fishing activity, eg: a vessel with a turnover of £100,000, will be charged £500 for annual membership.
For vessels <6.5m, which have a turnover of less than £20,000 a year, we have a standing charge of £100 each year for three years - after three years, we will ask for a certificate from your accountant.
Merchant membership is charged at £100p/a and is open to businesses which support the shellfishing industry, be they processors, gear suppliers or other associated business.
Associate membership is open to crew on members vessels and charged at £50p/a, which enables keen individuals to be directly involved with Association Business. We will support crews on members vessels where possible, regardless of their individual membership status.
Retired membership, at £25p/a, is open to those fishermen who no longer have a registered commercial vessel, but are keen to stay involved in our community.
In addition to the annual subscription, our rules as a ''Friendly Society'' require that members become shareholders of our Association; at £1 a share, you can choose to hold between 10 and 25. Should your membership application be successful, our treasurer will arrange the purchase of shares with you.
The fees are subject to review at the Annual General Meeting, which is open to all members.
If your application is approved, we will ask you to arrange for your accountant to send a financial statement to our accountant.
Kingswear Quay: SD&CS Ltd. are the leaseholders of Kingswear Quay and as such it is a private facility. If you wish to use Kingswear quayside for landing or loading, we will levy an annual charge based on the amount of gear worked . For 2023, the charges for use are as follows -
- £2.25 per pot. There will be no differentiation between types of pot.
- Current members not primarily landing from pots will be charged a flat fee of £600 a year. This figure was reached by calculating the average fee to be paid, then calculating the average fee to be paid by the smaller, lower activity vessels. It was then compared with the fees paid in other ports with better facilities and the figure reduced.
By using Kingswear quay, you agree to adhere to the conditions of our lease, including the responsibility to keep the bait store and quayside clean, tidy and free from litter and other equipment. We would appreciate it if you would help with general maintenance, such as greasing blocks and bait store doors too.
How we work: We are a 'friendly society'' governed by the rules of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act. SD&CS Ltd. is managed by a committee, whose members are elected at the AGM and remain in post for 3 years. The management committee usually meet in Kingsbridge on the evening of the first Wednesday of every other month to discuss current news and matters pertaining to our activities. All members are welcome to attend and/or put forward items for the agenda.
Committee: Our committee consists of our Chairman, David Morgan, who has more than 30 years fishing experience and is a member of Devon and Severn IFCA committee. He is supported by a number of working fishermen ranging from skippers of inshore, artisanal vessels to those working offshore at various locations around the UK and near continent. The Committee is further supported by a full time Executive Officer, who works to advance the interests of SD&CS Ltd. and its members.
Affiliations: We are group members of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain and we have members active in the NFFO executive committee.
Involvement: We are active in many forums of relevance to commercial fisheries in the SW and beyond. To name but a few: Shellfish industry advisory group, national shellfish fisheries plan, crab and lobster management group, whelk management group, SW crab and lobster fisheries improvement plan, Seafish SW regional advisory group, SW regional fisheries group, DEFRA national inshore fisheries discussion group, JFS community of interest, MSC SW crab and lobster FIP, South Coast Fishermen's Council and many more. We also actively work with the scientific community.
How we charge:
For vessels over 6.5m, the annual subscription is calculated on a percentage of your turnover covering your last Financial Year. The percentage charged is currently 0.5% of the vessel turnover on all fishing activity, eg: a vessel with a turnover of £100,000, will be charged £500 for annual membership.
For vessels <6.5m, which have a turnover of less than £20,000 a year, we have a standing charge of £100 each year for three years - after three years, we will ask for a certificate from your accountant.
Merchant membership is charged at £100p/a and is open to businesses which support the shellfishing industry, be they processors, gear suppliers or other associated business.
Associate membership is open to crew on members vessels and charged at £50p/a, which enables keen individuals to be directly involved with Association Business. We will support crews on members vessels where possible, regardless of their individual membership status.
Retired membership, at £25p/a, is open to those fishermen who no longer have a registered commercial vessel, but are keen to stay involved in our community.
In addition to the annual subscription, our rules as a ''Friendly Society'' require that members become shareholders of our Association; at £1 a share, you can choose to hold between 10 and 25. Should your membership application be successful, our treasurer will arrange the purchase of shares with you.
The fees are subject to review at the Annual General Meeting, which is open to all members.
If your application is approved, we will ask you to arrange for your accountant to send a financial statement to our accountant.
Kingswear Quay: SD&CS Ltd. are the leaseholders of Kingswear Quay and as such it is a private facility. If you wish to use Kingswear quayside for landing or loading, we will levy an annual charge based on the amount of gear worked . For 2023, the charges for use are as follows -
- £2.25 per pot. There will be no differentiation between types of pot.
- Current members not primarily landing from pots will be charged a flat fee of £600 a year. This figure was reached by calculating the average fee to be paid, then calculating the average fee to be paid by the smaller, lower activity vessels. It was then compared with the fees paid in other ports with better facilities and the figure reduced.
By using Kingswear quay, you agree to adhere to the conditions of our lease, including the responsibility to keep the bait store and quayside clean, tidy and free from litter and other equipment. We would appreciate it if you would help with general maintenance, such as greasing blocks and bait store doors too.