§ 9. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking in view of the results of research, conducted by his Department, into deep-water species of fish and blue whiting stocks, and work at Torry Research Institute; and whether he is encouraging the marketing of blue whiting and related species.
§ Mr. BishopFisheries laboratories continue their research into the problems of catching and processing deepwater species and blue whiting. The results will be given to the industry as they become available. In the meantime, trade demonstrations have been held by Torry Research Station and the White Fish Authority to show how these species might be utilised.
§ Mr. DalyellDo these demonstrations suggest that marketing will be easier?
§ Mr. BishopI think my hon. Friend will realise that there are a number of problems. On the marketing issue, we have the added problem of the conservative taste of the British consumer. Small fillets of blue whiting are of good quality, but they are not as white as cod. There are, therefore, problems of marketing and 1921 getting people to accept species of deep-water fish to which they have not been accustomed in the past, but these matters are under consideration.
§ Mr. James JohnsonIs it not a fact that the Norwegians are fishing between North-West Ireland and the Orkneys and they say that stocks amount to about 12 million tons, of which they are catching about 1 million tons a year? Why are not we doing more? Why cannot we have marinated herrings and smoked mackerel fillets?
§ Mr. BishopI think my hon. Friend knows that we are concerned with discussions about the implications of the Law of the Sea Conference. We are in touch with the Norwegian authorities on the aspects about which my hon. Friend is concerned, such as fishing limits and quotas. These matters are being kept under review.