§ 19. Mr. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will remove the three-mile fishing limit in the Moray Firth, particularly with reference to seine net boats.
§ Mr. WillisMy right hon. Friend is advised that there are important plaice nurseries within the three-mile limit in this area and that it would not be in the best interests of the fisheries to do as the hon. Member suggests.
§ Mr. BakerIs the Minister aware—in fact, I know that he is, because he has already said so—that the three-mile limit was imposed to protect the small line net boats? Cannot he say that areas could be designated for the protection of plaice beds and so on, instead of the lineal areas that exist at the moment? Is he aware of the frustration of the seine net boat fishermen at not being able to fish in areas where there is an abundance of fish in bad weather?
§ Mr. WillisI am aware that some—not all—seine net fishermen would like this arrangement to be made, but we must also consider the line and creel fishermen, who would also have very strong objections if we gave effect to the proposal made by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Wolrige-GordonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is not only 1536 a need for conservation of our fish stocks in many instances but also a need for their active development?
§ Mr. WillisYes, Sir.