§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on how the quota of 400 tonnes of basking shark levels under the EC-Norwegian agreement is determined;
(2) when he expects the EC-Norwegian agreement on basking shark quota to be decided; and if he will make a statement;
(3) whether he has plans to withdraw basking shark from the EC-Norwegian agreement; and if he will make a statement;
§ Mr. CurryThe Norwegian quota for basking shark in Community waters is set as part of the annual EC-Norway overall fisheries arrangements. The quota is set with regard to the data available on the status of the stock as well as the amount sought. The details for the 1990 arrangements are presently being discussed and final agreement should 417W be reached by mid-December. In recent years the quota has been set at 400 tonnes of basking shark liver, although actual catches have been far below this level or nil. As the data available indicates there has been no decline in the stock in Community waters since 1978, should Norway request an allocation for 1990 in the context of the annual arrangement to exchange fisheries opportunities I have no plans to argue against a quota within reasonable levels.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the yearly catch for basking sharks under the EC-Norwegian agreement for each of the last 10 years.
§ Mr. CurryThe Norwegian quota for basking sharks in Community waters is set on the basis of liver weight. Over the last 10 years the landings of liver in tonnes have been as follows:
Tonnes 1979 30.0 1980 Nil 1981 Nil 1982 40.0 1983 13.0 1984 48.7 1985 39.4 1986 13.0 1987 Nil 1988 Nil