HC Deb 17 June 1996 vol 279 cc368-9W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the estimated harbour porpoise population in the Celtic sea area is represented by the bycatch level recorded in the United Kingdom and Irish large mesh monofilament gillnet fisheries in this area in 1992 to 1994; and what percentage bycatch of harbour porpoise populations was adopted in 1995 by the scientific committee of the International Whaling Commission as being a reasonable threshold for concern about the sustainability of catches. [31772]

Mr. Raymond S. Robertson

[holding answer 7 June 1996]: Based on available data on gillnet bycatches, the estimates are 6 per cent. and 1 per cent. respectively. The scientific committee of the IWC is currently considering criteria for assessing the status of the harbour porpoise population.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what commitments to harbour porpoise conservation the Government made in their response to the biodiversity action plan; and what is his Department's policy towards its provisions on fisheries bycatch. [31778]

Mr. Robertson

[holding answer 7 June 1996]: The Government endorse the main proposals in the biodiversity action plan steering group report as a basis for follow-up action by country groups for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. These groups will be responsible for implementing individual action plans, including that for the harbour porpoise, and a UK group will co-ordinate this process. The Scottish Office is committed to fulfilling its obligations for harbour porpoise conservation.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many harbour porpoises were killed annually in large mesh monofilament gillnet fisheries(a) in United Kingdom and Irish gillnets in the Celtic sea observed during 1992 to 1994 and (b) in Danish gillnets in the North sea during 1993. [31769]

Mr. Robertson

[holding answer 7 June 1996]: The estimated number caught in these gillnet fisheries are 2,237 and 7,000 respectively.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many marine mammals were recorded as bycaught under the national voluntary reporting scheme in each of the last five years(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in Scotland; and if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of this scheme. [31779]

Mr. Robertson

[holding answer 7 June I996]: Under this scheme, three common dolphins and three common seals were recorded as bycaught in 1992 and 1993 by UK fishing vessels. No bycatches have been reported in Scottish waters under these voluntary arrangements. Research is under way to determine the extent of cetacean bycatch in the bottom-set gillnet fishery in the North sea.