HC Deb 15 November 1989 vol 160 cc335-7W
Mr. Harris

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current size of the North sea haddock quota; when he expects the quota to be exhausted; what are the tonnage allocations given to each of the organisations involved in the fishery; what are the catches for such vessels; and if he will indicate those groups whose catches have exceeded their allocations.

Mr. Curry

The United Kingdom quota for North sea haddock in 1989 is 55,271 tonnes, of which 891 tonnes was obtained in swaps with other member states during the course of the year. Allocations and latest catch information (to 4 November) are shown in the table. This shows that the following groups have fished in excess of their allocations: Scottish Fishermen's Organisation Ltd.; North East of Scotland Fishermen's Organisation Ltd.; and Fish Producers Organisation Ltd. When allowance is made for catches yet to be notified, it is clear that as a result of this overfishing the United Kingdom quota has been prematurely exhausted. Accordingly, I suspended licensed fishing on 11 November and laid an order yesterday to close the fishery to all United Kingdom vessels.

Tonnes
Group Allocation Catch Difference
Scottish Fishermen's Organisation Ltd. 18,252 18,789 +1537
Aberdeen Fish Producers Organisation Ltd. 7,303 6,501 -802
North East of Scotland Fishermen's Organisation Ltd. 13,090 13,789 +1699
Shetland Fish Producers Organisation Ltd. 2,662 2,651 -111
Fife Fish Producers Organisation Ltd. 1,140 972 -168
Anglo-Scottish Fish Producers Organisation Ltd. 5,036 4,349 -687
The Fish Producers Organisation Ltd. 879 954 +175
Non-sector 6,858 6,164 -694
10m and under boats 50 11 -39
Total United Kingdom Fleet 55,271 54,180 -21,091

+= Overfish.

- = Underfish.

1 In view of their catch levels, licences were withdrawn from Fish Producers Organisation Ltd. on 13 September, from Scottish Fishermen's Organisation and North East of Scotland Fishermen's Organisation Ltd. on 7 October, and from the Shetland Fish Producers Organisation Ltd. on 4 November.

2 Catches not yet recorded are expected to be at least equal to this figure.