§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will publish the outcome of research into the catching of non-target species cetaceans by the tuna drift net fishing industry; [50405]
(2) what research his Department has undertaken to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the use of sonar equipment to deter cetaceans from swimming into tuna drift nets. [50406]
§ Mr. MorleyA study of the cetacean bycatch in the UK tuna drift net fishery in 1995 was deposited in the Library of the House in December 1995. The refusal of drift net fishermen to co-operate prevented a follow-up study taking place.
The Ministry has not undertaken research on the use of sonar equipment on tuna drift nets.