§ Lord Balfour of InchryeMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have received from the association of Scottish Salmon Fishery Boards strong calls for the urgent need for comprehensive legislation at an early date in order to check the decline of Atlantic salmon entering the rivers of Scotland, and what reply they are giving to this widely representative body.
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (The Earl of Mansfield)My Lords, the association has indicated that it is anxious to see early legislation on the matters dealt with in the discussion document on salmon and freshwater fisheries, which I circulated in December 1979. This concerns, however, the need to strengthen the local administration of salmon fisheries in the rivers, including its financing, with a view to improving the management of these fisheries. I have told the association that I will consider carefully certain proposals which it is putting forward for amending legislation. As my noble friend will be aware, the control of the taking of Atlantic salmon in the sea raises wider issues and, apart from licensed drift netting, is being dealt with on the basis of international agreements.
§ Lord Balfour of InchryeMy Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply. Can he give any indication as to the likelihood of the steps that he has envisaged being taken in the legislative field at a fairly early date? Does the Minister agree that, unless steps are taken in the comparatively near future, the fate of the Atlantic salmon may well be the same as that of the American bison—virtual disappearance?
§ The Earl of MansfieldMy Lords, my noble friend will appreciate that the proposals which have been put forward are, roughly speaking, on a two-pronged basis: first, the reconstitution of the district boards into area boards, or something like; and secondly, the raising of new finance in order that they can carry out their responsibilities. I regret to tell the House that on both those fronts there has been very little agreement as between the boards themselves and, more importantly, the very varied interests which comprise the anglers in Scotland. Doing the best that I can, I am trying to reconcile these conflicting interests, and I am very well aware that the Atlantic salmon, if not an endangered species, is coming under threat. But if we are to legislate, it must be on a basis of consensus.
§ The Earl of KimberleyMy Lords, can my noble friend confirm that last year the inhabitants of the Faroes longlined over 6,000 tonnes of salmon, and can he say whether the quota is, as one would hope, considerably less this year?
§ The Earl of MansfieldMy Lords, the Faroes fishery, which grew rapidly in 1980 and 1981, is now limited by agreement between the Community and Faroe to 750 tonnes in 1981–82 and 625 tonnes in 1982–83. It is gratifying that Faroe has been persuaded to reduce its catch from the very high levels which were previously proposed.