Fisheries (Hansard, 11 July 2002)

§ Mr. Letwin
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contingency plans she has developed relating to the six and 12-mile inshore fisheries limits in the event that a new derogation is not in place by 31 December. [64380]

§ Mr. Morley
[holding answer 27 June 2002]: I welcome the Commission's proposal to renew without any time limitation the current access arrangements for the six and 12-mile limits and their statement that these provisions have reduced fishing pressure in the most biologically-sensitive areas of the sea and provided economic stability for small-scale fishing activity. The proposal would apply from 1 January 2003 and a decision is due to be taken by the Fisheries Council during the course of this year's review of the common fisheries policy. There remains a consensus among member states in favour of renewing the limits.

§ Mr. Letwin
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs what progress she is making in obtaining an EU wide ban on the fishing of bass while they are spawning. [64382]

§ Mr. Morley
[holding answer 27 June 2002]: The International Council for the Exploration of the Seas' Advisory Committee for Fisheries Management has recently reported to the European Commission on the status of sea bass in European waters. The Commission will need to consider its response to this report. I will support any effective controls to ensure the sustainability of bass stocks.

§ Mr. Laws
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made towards reducing effort by 20 per cent. in those sectors of the UK fishing fleet with the most over-capacity; and if she will make a statement. [69158]

§ Mr. Morley
It has been a departmental target to reduce fishing effort, by 20 per cent. between 1997 and the end of December 2001, in those segments of the UK fishing fleet with the most overcapacity. This target was met by the due date.

§ Annabelle Ewing
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 27 June 2002,Official Report, column 951, on fisheries, which member states regard relative stability as being in the best interests of all EU members. [67316]

§ Mr. Morley
[holding answer 8 July 2002]: Following statements made by Ministers in the Fisheries Council and by officials in Council Working Groups, the following member states have declared that fishing opportunities should continue to be allocated according to the principle of relative stability: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.