§ 57. Mr. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for arresting the decline in numbers of the Scottish seine net fleet; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WillisThe seine net fleet has declined mainly because an increasing number of vessels are being used to fish with light trawls. The Government's policy is that new vessels should be grant-aided without raising the catching capacity of the inshore white fish fleet as a whole above its level in 1962. This objective is being achieved, but white fish landings by the inshore fleet have nevertheless increased significantly in recent years.