§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what communication he has had from the Icelandic Minister of Fisheries concerning the banning of British trawlers from an 245W area off North Cape; whether this has been done as a protective measure for stocks of cod; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HattersleyI have been asked to reply.
Our Ambassador in Reykjavik was informed orally on 12th July of the closure of a fishing ground at Strandagrunn, off the north coast of Iceland, to all fishing vessels including Icelandic. This was confirmed in a Note from the Icelandic Embassy to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 15th July. The closure was to take effect from that date. The Icelandic authorities stated that the purpose of the regulation was to protect immature fish in the area.
Our Ambassador was instructed on 15th July to deliver a Note to the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs reserving our position with respect to the new regulation and offering to discuss it further with the Icelandic authorities.