§ Baroness Nicolasked Her Majesty's Government: What is the extent of the incidental taking of marine mammals and birds by drift nets on United Kingdom boats.
Bareness TrumpingtonIncidental catches of mammals and birds are known to occur in UK1130WA fisheries, but the numbers involved are not thought to be significant. Certainly there is no evidence to suggest that drift nets—or indeed other nets—are endangering the survival of any species. Drift nets are mainly used around the UK in small-scale, localised fisheries. These fisheries are quite distinct from those in areas such as the Pacific, where large-scale and indiscriminate drift netting operations for tuna have necessitated restrictive action to safeguard marine life.