§ 31. Mr. Bowdenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has concluded his investigations into the practices of beam trawlers; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BishopI have again considered this matter carefully, and I have concluded that beam trawling, while an efficient method of fishing, is no more damaging to the sea bed than conventional trawling gear. We now have international quota systems for sole and plaice catches. It is the quantity of fish taken rather than its method of capture which must be regulated.