§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with fishing nations which have industrial trawler companies with regard to the(a) appropriate enforcement of mackerel box regulations and (b) level of cetacean by-catch. [35479]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 12 February 2002]: There have been no recent discussions with other fishing nations about the enforcement of mackerel box regulations. As in previous years the Royal Navy's Fishery Protection Squadron has been tasked by the Department to enforce the EC rules applicable to the mackerel box whether or not vessels are engaged in human consumption or other fisheries. There are no EC rules specifying levels of cetacean bycatch.