§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what response he has made to the recommendations from Joint Nature Conservation Committee that sandeel fisheries be restricted in the Wee Bankie, Marr bank and Scalp bank of the North sea. [2636]
§ Mr. BaldryIn responding to a Ministry consultation letter on technical conservation measures, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee suggested, among other things, that sandeel fisheries be restricted in an area off the east coast of Scotland. The Ministry replied, explaining the initiatives taken by the Government over the past few months on industrial fisheries. Subsequent to the JNCC letter, a major international research project has been announced to study the impact of industrial sandeel fisheries on predator species off the east coast of Scotland. The Scottish Office marine laboratory is participating in this study.