§ 45. Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what efforts are being made to obtain further information about the lobster and crab stocks around Orkney and Shetland.
§ Mr. WillisMy Department makes regular measurements of samples of the commercial catch in both Orkney and Shetland and collects data on the catch in relation to fishing effort. From this information estimates of the composition of the lobster stocks are kept up to date. A new shell fish research vessel will be commissioned later this year and one of her first tasks will be the resumption of direct sampling of the lobster stocks on the fishing grounds in the area and its extension to the crab stocks.
§ Mr. GrimondCan the Minister say whether, in the view of the Scottish Office, these stocks are rising or falling?
§ Mr. WillisWe have no evidence to show that the stocks are falling. We think that the catch has probably been smaller because boats have transferred to white fishing.