§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland in which areas off the coast of Scotland he institutes conservation measures governing fishing by British vessels, other than measures taken under international agreements.
§ Mr. J. Stuart1. Trawling is prohibited within three miles of low water mark off the whole of the coast of Scotland except the Solway Firth and the Pentland Firth, and in the waters scheduled to the Herring Fishery (Scotland) Act, 1889, which include the whole of the Firths of Clyde and Forth and a number of smaller 25W bays. Trawling is also prohibited by byelaw made under the Act in the whole of the Moray Firth. Trawling by small boats is, however, permitted in Luce Bay on certain conditions from 1st September to 28th February and trawling for scientific purposes may be permitted in the prohibited areas under the written authority of the Secretary of State. 2. Seine net fishing for white fish is prohibited by byelaw made under the Sea Fisheries (Scotland) (Amendment) Act, 1885, within the exclusive fishery limits off the whole coast of Scotland except the Solway Firth and the Pentland Firth, and off the following parts of the coast where seining is permitted on conditions prescribed by byelaws: Luce Bay during the period 1st September to 28th February; Firth of Clyde; Shetland; and East Coast from Rattray Head in Aberdeenshire to Tantallon Castle in East Lothian, including the Firth of Tay outside the line Babbetness to Buddonness and the Firth of Forth outside the line Leith—Inchkeith—Methil. The exclusive fishery limits are drawn generally three miles from low water mark or from closing lines across bays at the point where they narrow to ten miles.