§ 71. Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the damage inflicted on the Scottish fishing industry by the seine or other small-meshed trawl nets and the methods of using such nets, he will take steps to have the trawlers and other fishing boats compelled to use nets with a mesh suitable for catching fish of reasonable marketable size, while permitting all other small fish to escape, with a view to their subsequently reaching maturity?
Mr. W. ADAMSONI am alive to the desirability of preventing as far as possible the destruction of immature fish, and in those Scottish inshore areas in which seine net fishing is permitted a minimum size of mesh of net is imposed. Similar regulations for extra-territorial waters would require to be enforced by international agreement. The whole question is receiving the attention of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, and the British delegates to the Council have special instructions on the subject.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is the opinion of competent authorities that the present size of net is illegal, and will he see that the Fishery Board takes civil proceedings against those who use them?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir LAMBERT WARDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the immense amount of damage that is being done by local fishermen trawling in their own boats?