§ Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what research is going on into alternatives to the order relating to berried lobsters.
§ Mr. NobleThe continuing scientific investigations on the state of the lobster stocks provide the basic material for the study of this question, but other factors are involved and discussions are proceeding.
§ Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what surveys of lobster stocks are at present in progress; and what evidence he has of the size of lobsters in 1962–63.
§ Mr. NobleMy Department's scientists maintain a continuous review of the state of the lobster stocks by regular measurement of samples from commercial catches and by assessing data, supplied by fishermen observers, of catch in relation to fishing effort. In addition the stocks are sampled by fishing by research vessels during periodical surveys of the lobster grounds; five surveys were carried out in the past two years and another will be undertaken in the autumn.
The average size of a sample of 1,500 male lobsters measured in 1962 was 11.4 inches compared with 11 inches in 1953 when commercial landings were at a 106W substantially lower level. No comparable assessment can yet be made for landings in 1963.