§ 27. Mr. John Townendasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the problems to British fishermen of the static gill nets used by Danish fishermen in the North sea.
Mr. McGregorThe recent development of the Danish gill net fishery in the North sea has on occasion resulted in problems for British trawlermen. These are limited to short periods during the early summer months. We are reviewing the problem of conflicts of interest between static and mobile gear and will consider any suggestions for regulatory action which may emerge, but in this particular situation I would hope that the fishermen themselves, with the assistance of the sea fisheries inspectorate as necessary, will be able to resolve the problem as has happened in similar situations which have arisen elsewhere.