HL Deb 08 July 1997 vol 581 cc73-4WA
Lord Lucas

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proportion of United Kingdom quota in each fish species is currently accounted for by "quota hoppers"; and

What proportion of United Kingdom quota in each fish species is currently landed in the United Kingdom.

Lord Donoughue

The table below sets out details of the main quota species caught by the UK fleet in 1996, together with the estimated proportion of the recorded landings made into the UK and the estimated proportion of recorded landings made by UK vessels which are wholly or partly owned by overseas interests. The catches relate to those fish stocks which are subject to quota and which are principally taken in ICES Areas IV, VI and VII.

Landings of quota species by UK vessels in 1996
Main quota species Total catch by UK fleet in 1996 (tonnes liveweight) Estimated percentage of total catch landed into UK Estimated percentage of total catch landed by UK vessels wholly or partly owned by overseas interests, into the UK and elsewhere1
Anglers 7,279 75 27
Cod 62,760 94 5
Haddock 87,274 99 1
Hake 5,441 52 49
Herring 77,184 78 6
Mackerel 148,142 41 8
Megrim 4,003 68 35
Nephrops 29,313 99 2
Plaice 25,579 49 53
Pollack 2,691 72 18
Saithe 14,519 83 5
Sole 3,037 79 20
Whiting 37,905 98 2
Total 505,126 74 8
1 These percentages are based on recorded landings made by some 160 vessels which are believed to be partly or wholly owned by non-UK interests. Details of the shareholdings in the UK companies owning British registered fishing vessels are no longer maintained following the introduction of the Merchant Shipping (Registration) Regulations 1993 (SI 1993 No. 3138).