§ 3. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is now taking as the result of pioneering experiments conducted by his Department in deep water fishing.
§ The Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Norman Buchan)My Department is continuing to inform the fishing and processing industries of the results of research into deep water species and blue whiting stocks as these become available. This information should enable the industry to determine the possibilities of exploiting these resources.
§ Mr. DalyellWhen is more information likely to be forthcoming so that decisions may be taken on the matter?
§ Mr. BuchanA good deal of information has already come out and should be in the Library, in the form of the various announcements from the Ministry. I think my hon. Friend will find them interesting. The trade is beginning to show interest in the matter, too, with the demonstrations at Torry and elsewhere.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartAs the Ministry has stated in its hand-outs that the possible catch of blue whiting has been known to be 50 tons per haul and that the spawning stock could sustain yields of 1 million tons per annum, will the Minister assure the House that every possible effort will be made to catch these fish, no matter how difficult that may be, because they seem to be a potential source of stocks that we dare not ignore?
§ Mr. BuchanYes. The White Fish Authority is now employing a short charter to examine the prospects of blue whiting, and we are encouraging that development.