§ Mr. Maclennanasked the Secretary of State for the Scotland when, and for what reason, haddock quotas for non-producers' organisations vessels in the 40 to 60 ft class were cut from 30 tonnes per month to 45 tonnes over two months; what is the monthly quota for producers' organisations vessels; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe management arrangements for this year's North sea haddock fishery were reviewed by fisheries departments at meetings with industry representatives on 9 January and 20 February.
At the January meeting it was agreed that, for fishing vessels not in membership of producers' organisations operating sectoral quotas, a flat-rate vessel quota should apply for the month of February. This was subsequently set at 30 tonnes.
At the February meeting, fisheries departments accepted a proposal by the industry representatives that for March and April a system of differential quota limits should be introduced, based on vessel length categories and notional crew numbers. These revised arrangements have resulted in quota limits for the two-month period ranging from 30 tonnes for the smallest vessels to 90 tonnes for the largest.
It is for the producers' organisations to determine the quotas applicable to their members' vessels.
The objectives of the fisheries departments' management arrangements are to achieve the overall reduction required in this year's North sea haddock catch, compared with 1986, to take account of the decrease in the total allowable catch, and to secure a 12 months haddock fishery for the non-sectoral vessels.