Salmon

HC Deb 20 February 1985 vol 73 c458W

Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be able to announce his conclusions on the proposal to introduce a salmon tagging scheme.

Mr. MacGregor

We have been carrying out a very thorough review of the practical problems associated with a salmon tagging scheme and are still considering the results. There remain a number of considerable difficulties. I shall make an announcement just as soon as we have been able to reach a conclusion on them.

Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the Official Report the recorded catch of salmon for the north-east drift net fishery for the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Mr. MacGregor

The total catches of salmon recorded in the Northumbrian and Yorkshire water authority areas by both drift nets and inshore nets were:

	Catches
1974	52,747
1975	53,239
1976	15,703
1977	52,886
1978	51,640
1979	43,464
1980	45,790
1981	69,124
1982	50,167
1983	77,277

Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what scientific evidence has been commissioned by his Department or has been received by his Department on the effect of drift net fishing on the salmon stocks returning to Scottish rivers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. MacGregor

In 1982 my Directorate of Fisheries Research published its Fisheries Research Technical Report No. 67, which was titled "Effects of the English north-east coast salmon fisheries on salmon catches". A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

Last year officials were asked to carry out a further examination of the effects of the fishery. As I explained in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow) on 20 November 1984, their report was an internal one, based, in part, on information provided in confidence and it will not be published. My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State, Scottish Office and I are reviewing the management arrangements. We hope to be in a position to announce our conclusions before long.