HC Deb 27 April 1981 vol 3 c357W
Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any plans to reopen the herring fishery off the East Coast of Scotland.

Mr. Younger

The scientific advice of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) is meantime that, subject to further review, the North Sea herring fishery should remain closed during 1981. The Government's policy remains that the herring fisheries should not be reopened until ICES advises that this can be done without further endangering the stocks. However, with a view to the future, arrangements are being made for officials to meet the industry shortly to discuss the options for stock management if and when the fishery is reopened.