§ Mr. Michael Shawasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has reached a decision on the proposed increase in minimum size for lobsters; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithFollowing consultations with fishing organisations, Her Majesty's Government have decided to increase the minimum size for lobsters from 80 mm to 83 mm carapace length in Great Britain with effect from 1 May 1981. Regulations to this effect will shortly be laid before the House.
The scientific evidence clearly indicates that the minimum size for lobsters should be set at 85 mm in order to increase the yield per recruit, and to help to increase the breeding stock. However, in order to minimise the risk of short-term loses to fishermen we have decided to move to that minimum size in two stages. The forthcoming increase to 83 mm seeks to balance the scientific case for a higher minimum size against the concern felt by the industry about the short-term economic effects. Our present intention is to introduce a further increase in lobster minimum size to 85 mm carapace length from 1 May 1983, but this will be the subject of further consultations with the industry at a later date. We shall be looking particularly carefully at the economic situation of the industry before the proposed second stage increase is implemented.