International Council for the Exploration of the Sea

HC Deb 20 February 1962 vol 654 cc38-9W

96. Mr. C. Johnson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the present membership of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea; when the Council last met; and what investigations are being carried out by the Council at the present time.

Mr. Vane

The member countries of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea are Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Iceland, Irish Republic, Italy, the Netherlands. Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.S.R. The Council last met in October, 1961. The current investigations cover a very wide field; their purpose is to increase knowledge of the fish stocks and of the natural causes which govern their abundance and distribution, so as to provide a sound basis for exploitation and conservation.