HC Deb 05 March 1962 vol 655 c20W
Mr. C. Johnson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what States are at present members of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea; what action has been taken following the conference held at Bergen in 1959, to elucidate measures to protect arctic cod against over-fishing; and what investigations are being carried out by the Council at the present time.

Mr. Vane

As regards the first and third parts of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his Question of 20th February. As a result of the recommendations of an international group of scientists appointed at the Bergen conference, the Permanent Commission set up under the 1946 Over-Fishing Convention has agreed on an early increase of the mesh-size for northeastern waters. A similiar investigation is in progress as regards the waters round Iceland.