The complicated system of sea fisheries committees should be overhauled for the good of Pembrokeshire's sea fishing industry, says Paul Davies AM.

At present the waters off the county are managed by two different sea fisheries committees, DEFRA, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Environment Agency.

The Preseli Pembrokeshire AM wants to see the system simplified so that problems such as those seen over recent weeks with scallopers from outside the area, can be dealt with more quickly.

He also highlighted problems with the fisheries committees issuing too many licences.

"One of the committees granted a licence to one of my constituents at the beginning of the year, but withdrew it suddenly, long before the term expired, because the stocks were diminishing," he told the Senedd.

"In that case too many licences had been granted and I understand that they do not currently have the powers to limit the number of licences that are granted by them. This does not make much sense to me."

He called on the Rural Affairs Minister to request a proper framework in the draft Marine Bill which could lead to the modernising of the sea fisheries committees in Wales.

The bill, which was launched in 2004 and is currently in the consultation phase in Parliament, aims to create a more integrated organisation, simplify regulation and take a more consistent approach to marine fisheries.