§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what investigation he has made of the possibility of a major shortfall on the take-up of the British quota of mackerel; what consequences to the United Kingdom fleet in the allocation of quotas in future years this would have; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe United Kingdom's quota for western mackerel in 1984 is 234,700 tonnes. Our provisional catch figure for 1983 was 187,042 tonnes as against the quota finally agreed of 220,000 tonnes. Our ability to take our full quota in 1984 will depend on a variety of factors including the skill and effort of our fishermen, the weather and the behaviour of the mackerel shoals. The proportion which the United Kingdom quota represents of the total Community availability was established under the common fisheries policy settlement of 25 January 1983 and has staying power for the future: the future level of our western mackerel quota will thus depend not on the level of our catches but on the health of the stock.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what representations he has 256W received from organisations within the fishing industry that there should be no ban on fishing for mackerel within the extended pout box in the south west fishing waters, and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will ensure that the extended south west fishery protection pout box is not closed at the end of February 1984.
§ Mr. MacGregorWe have received representations from a number of organisations and individuals. both for and against the tightening up of the existing Community regulations on the south-west mackerel box, which permits bottom trawling for mackerel within the box.
We are currently considering the management and conservation arrangements for the south-west mackerel fishery in the light of the latest available information and hope to reach conclusions shortly.