§ Mr. Sproatasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the total value of mackerel caught in United Kingdom waters over the last 12 months before the United Kingdom ban that was, respectively, transshipped and landed in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThere is no general United Kingdom ban on fishing for mackerel, although an area off the south-west of England of some 4,000 square nautical miles was closed on 17 March until 15 November to fishing for mackerel with purse seines or trawls of less than 70mm and fishing for mackerel in ICES areas VI, VII and VIII by United Kingdom vessels of over 60ft registered length has been suspended since 16 February. In the 12 months to end January 1980 (the latest 12 months period for which information is available), the total value of mackerel landed or transhipped by fishing vessels in United Kingdom ports was some £39 million.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what latest action he has taken with other EEC Governments over EEC vessels, other than British, fishing for mackerel in United Kingdom waters after the British ban on mackerel fishing.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe only measure which the United Kingdom currently applies to prohibit both foreign and United Kingdom fishing for mackerel within United Kingdom limits concerns the area off the south-west of England where, until 15 November, fishing for mackerel with purse seines or trawls of less than 70mm is prohibited. This measure has been notified to the other European Community member States, but the area concerned is wholly within our fishery limits and our fishery protection forces will enforce it.