§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to establish a pressure stock licensing stock scheme for nephrops, or to ban twin-rig trawling for nephrops; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryThese and other ideas for the future management of nephrops were discussed at a Sea Fish Industry Authority seminar on nephrops on 10 April. All parties involved are now reflecting on the views expressed.
§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current state of the North sea and Irish sea nephrops stock.
§ Mr. CurryThe advisory committee on fishery management of the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas has undertaken a thorough review of the various EC nephrops fisheries including those in the North and Irish seas and, in its latest report, recommended that each should be subject to its own specific total allowable catch, bearing in mind the fishing effort involved. We have asked the EC Commission to act on this advice and are now awaiting appropriate proposals.