§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what consultations his Department has had with inshore fishermen north of Bridlington in relation to the closure of the Dover sole fishery for boats under 10 m; [19163]
(2) what action he has taken to ensure that future closure of fisheries will not be taken without consultation with the sector of the fishing industry most directly involved. [19164]
§ Mr. BaldryBefore the closure of the North sea sole fishery to vessels 10 m and under in length from 1 January to 31 March 1996, the Ministry consulted both the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations which represents inshore fishermen in England including those north of Bridlington, and the Yorkshire and Anglia Fish Producers' Organisation based at Bridlington which also includes inshore fishermen among its members. Ministry officials also met with representatives of the NFFO and fishermen from the north-east on 5 February. At the request of the NFFO, the Ministry has agreed to consult directly with the NFFO's constituent organisations on any future proposals to effect a temporary closure of a fishery. Such consultation will not, however, extend to those fishery closures which are necessary because of the full utilisation of quota allocations.