§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland was first aware of the extent of landings into Peterhead emanating from area VIIa.
§ Mr. LangThe Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland first became aware of an increase in the level of landings into Scotland of non-sector cod from area VIIa at the beginning of June. At that point, the monthly allocation for individual non-sector vessels was significantly reduced by fisheries departments. Continued high levels of landings during June resulted in the catch restrictions on each vessel being tightened further from 1 July and eventually to the closure of the fishery to the non-sector from 10 July.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which vessels were physically checked for catch details passing from areas 4 to 6 or areas 6 to 4 in each month separately since 1 January.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 24 June 1990]: The table lists by month the 32 vessels called into Scrabster and inspected following receipt of radio reports.
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Month and Vessel Registered Number 1990 January Ajax INS 168 Forelock BCK 127 Unity BCK 35 February — March Shearwater BF 86 Ulysses PD 76 Seaspray PD 245 Treasury INS 293 Starlight PD 150 Constant Friend PD 83 Sparkling Star PD 137 Sharona INS 274 Diligent PD 314 Orion BF 432 Sharona PD 185 Brighter Dawn PD 62 Prosperity LH 445 Rose Bay PD 65 Lorena BF 227 Sea Spray III PD 245 Girl Maureen K 100 April Sonia Jane BF 31 Prosperity LH 445 Ulysses PD 76 Solan INS 112 Serenga PD 95 Evening Star LK 87 River Dee K 51 Brighter Dawn PD 76 Ulysses ID 62 St. Kilda INS 47 Eleanda BCK 60 May Fear Not INS 197 June —
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what catches were recorded by Scottish vessels from ICES areas VIId, VIIb and VIIc in June.
§ Mr. LangI refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Pembroke (Mr. Bennett) on 24 July.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in Scotland has instigated a review of(a) log book recordings, (b) area of activity and (c) distinguishing characteristics of fish being landed in respect of concerns over misdeclarations of landings.
§ Mr. LangLog books are examined each time a fishing vessel lands a catch or when it is boarded at sea. The log book entries are checked to ensure that they are consistent with the quantities and species of fish landed or on board the vessel. Confirmation of the areas of fishing activity are sought by comparing the log book entries with surveillance data provided by fishery protection vessels and aircraft.
The ability to determine area of catch from the physical characteristics of the fish varies from species to species. In the case of cod there is at present no ready and reliable means of distinguishing whether the fish came from the 319W North sea or the Irish sea. It is also possible that a catch landed by a fishing vessel could contain fish from both areas.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many vessels have been contained in Scottish ports for misdeclaring catches from sea areas other than area VII.
§ Mr. LangIt is not the policy to detain fishing vessels in port in anticipation of charges being brought for breach of fisheries legislation. A vessel would be detained only where it seemed likely that a court might order forfeiture of the vessel or where it was felt that this would help to ensure that the accused would appear in court to answer the charges.