Fisheries (Hansard, 6 July 1994)

§ 11. Mr. Bellingham
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received from fishermen's organisations regarding the use of drift nets; and if he will make a statement.

§ Sir Hector Monro
I receive frequent representations from those concerned about the drift net fishery for salmon off the coast of north-east England. The matter of drift net fisheries was discussed at the last Fisheries Council.

§ Mr. Bellingham
Will my hon. Friend find time today to recognise the important economic contribution of angling to the rural communities of Scotland? Will he pay tribute to the fact that in Scotland drift net fishing for salmon has been almost entirely curtailed? Does he agree that the Northumberland drift net fishery, which catches almost exclusively salmon heading for Scottish rivers, is an anomaly and a disgrace, and that, after proper compensation to the netsmen, it should be stopped?

§ Sir Hector Monro
I agree with my hon. Friend that salmon fishing in Scotland is of enormous importance to the community in that it brings tourism and business for hotels and shops, for example. We want to see as many anglers coming to Scotland as possible. My hon. Friend is right also to say that we banned drift net fishing many years ago around the Scottish coast. The issue of the north-east drift net fishery is complicated and it is difficult to be precise when discussing it.
We have, as my hon. Friend knows, introduced a net limitation order and the number of licences for salmon nets has fallen by 12.7 per cent. in the past year. That is a step in the right direction. We must move on the basis of scientific advice, which is provided by the National Rivers Authority. I have my hon. Friend's point very much in mind, and I hope that one of these days we shall find the right solution.

§ Mr. Macdonald
Can the Minister justify and explain why it is right for monofilament nets to be used by English fishermen in English coastal waters but not by Scottish fishermen in Scottish coastal waters?

§ Sir Hector Monro
As the hon. Gentleman knows, the use of such nets has been banned in Scotland for many years. We feel that that is the right step to take, bearing in mind the conservation of fish as well as the power of catching. I believe that we have come to the right decision. It is not always accepted by fishermen, especially those on the west coast, but throughout the rest of Scotland it is generally believed that we have made the right decision.