Pelagic Fish Stocks (Hansard, 4 February 1982)

§ 17. Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take further steps to ensure the conservation of pelagic fish stocks pending an agreement on a common fisheries policy.

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
The Government are ready to consider any additional conservation measures that the scientific evidence indicates are necessary.

§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop
Will my right hon. Friend consider, first, that licensing and quotas should be extended from mackerel to all pelagic fish, and secondly, that the quota should be on a weekly basis? Does he agree that this would lead to more orderly marketing and that when there is bad weather the fish stock would have a natural opportunity to recover?

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
I assure my hon. Friend that we are always looking at ways to improve our fishery management. I shall certainly consider what he has said. On the question of the control of other pelagic stocks, such as sprats and pilchards, there is at present no scientific evidence to support my hon. Friend's view, but I will keep an eye on the situation as I know that there is concern about it, particularly in the South-West.

§ Mr. Donald Stewart
Will the Minister confirm that he was correctly reported as stating that in the absence of agreement on a common fisheries policy by the end of 1982 there would be no question of vessels from other Common Market countries being able to fish in the same waters as our own fishermen?

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
I have made it plain on several occasions, as has my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, that I do not think that any British Government would be prepared to agree to terms that were not satisfactory to our fisherman. I have said that before, and I make it absolutely clear again today.

§ Mr. Strang
Does the Minister agree that the Government's decision to license klondiking should be a real advance in relation to conservation generally? Is not this a good example of a case in which Parliament was right and the Government were wrong?

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
During the passage of the Bill there was agreement on both sides of the House that powers should be taken to license klondiking. The only disagreement related to when the powers should be taken. As I made plain then, we took additional powers to police the landing of fish. Experience in the South-West and in the West of Scotland showed that additional powers were necessary. For that reason, as from Monday, powers have been introduced to control klondiking. I am glad to have the general support of the House for that measure, as it will increase control and improve conservation.