§ Mr. Leonardasked the Minister of Agriculture what machinery he proposes to devise to apply the Immature Sea Fish Order; whether it will be made effective against holiday-makers indulging in fishing; and what penalties he proposes to impose?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThe Order in question was made under Section 4 of the Sea-Fishing Industry Act, 1933, as amended by the Sea Fish Industry Act, 1938. This section gives powers of enforcement to various persons including officers of the Ministry or of local Fisheries Committees, and also provides that offenders shall be liable on summary conviction to fines not exceeding £50.
I do not propose to take any special measures in regard to holiday-makers who indulge in fishing. While the Act does not contain any exemption in their favour, I have no doubt that the appropriate officers will exercise discretion in the case of any undersized fish which may be taken by amateur anglers, provided that any such fish are returned to the sea without delay.