North Sea and North Atlantic (Fish)

HC Deb 24 March 1965 vol 709 cc85-6W

53. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals to prevent overfishing in the North Sea and North Atlantic.

Mr. Hoy

The United Kingdom already applies internationally agreed measures to conserve fish stocks in the North Sea and the North Atlantic. These consist of minimum mesh sizes for nets and minimum landing sizes for fish. Any proposals for changes in these regulations or for conservation measures of a different kind are matters for international discussion and agreement in the two Fisheries Commissions concerned. These Commissions, in which the United Kingdom plays an active part, will be meeting in the coming months, and it will be the object of the United Kingdom to promote the study and introduction of such additional practicable measures of conservation as may be scientifically justified and to ensure their effective enforcement.