§ 5. Mr. Charles Morrisonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the Government are doing to prevent further damage to Atlantic salmon stocks both within the 12-mile limit and further afield.
§ Mr. MacGregorWithin 12 miles we are considering measures to reduce the numbers of salmon taken illegally, especially by organised gangs. In particular, we are examining the proposals for a salmon-tagging scheme made in the report "Salmon Conservation — A new Approach" to see whether they can be given practical application.
We shall announce the results of this examination, and those concerning the other salmon issues set out in our consultation paper, as soon as possible.
The intercepting fisheries beyond 12 miles now come within the scope of the recently established North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation. The organisation's first meeting will take place in Edinburgh from 16 January 1984, and we shall seek to ensure that it plays an effective role in safeguarding our salmon stocks.
§ Mr. MorrisonThere continues to be grave concern about the effects of drift netting, both within United Kingdom waters and further afield, particularly off Greenland. I appreciate what my hon. Friend is doing and the consultations in which he is engaged, but is it not high time for more action?
§ Mr. MacGregorI am aware of my hon. Friend's interest—he has been writing to me recently about one of the drift net salmon fisheries — and of the wider concern. The issue was discussed in our consultation paper and we have received many comments, often representing conflicting viewpoints. I hope to be able to announce proposals when we have completed a thorough reappraisal of the problems.
§ Mr. MasonIf salmon stocks are to be conserved, the salmon-tagging scheme should be introduced as a matter of urgency. The proposal has been before the Minister for some months. Secondly, the Minister ought to take steps to ban the use of nylon monofilament gill nets. Thirdly, he should restrict the increase in the number of licences issued to salmon netters, who are netting salmon off the coastline and in the estuaries of the salmon rivers. Why does the Minister not adopt those positive proposals?
§ Mr. MacGregorI am aware of the concern and of the need for action, and I am anxious to do something as quickly as possible. My Department has examined the problem, and I am now having discussions with my noble Friend the Minister of State, Scottish Office, who has held a series of meetings with representatives of salmon interests north of the border. I shall endeavour to reach a conclusion as soon as possible.
1151 Our fisheries scientists are conducting research into the effects of using monofilament nets. So far they have found no firm evidence that the rate of escape from such nets is greater than that from other nets, or that in escaping fish sustain severe damage.
§ Mr. Bill WalkerI thank my hon. Friend for the interest that he is taking in the problems arising in salmon rivers. Will he bear in mind during his discussions and in the efforts that he is making that the Scottish salmon rivers are a vital part of the Scottish economy and that when people do not fish these rivers the impact is felt in many other sectors of the Scottish economy? Will he keep that firmly in mind?
§ Mr. MacGregorI am aware of my hon. Friend's point. Indeed, I am spending part of the recess, around the new year, near a Scottish river. Therefore, I am fully aware of my hon. Friend's point, although I shall be on holiday on that occasion. I assure him that that is one of the matters that I am discussing and will continue to discuss with my noble Friend the Minister of State, Scottish Office.
§ Mr. BeithWill the Minister take care to distinguish between poaching and the properly regulated legal fishing at sea and in rivers which provides a livelihood for fishermen in areas such as Northumberland?
§ Mr. MacGregorI fully understand the hon. Gentleman's point. It is the poaching about which we are most worried.