§ 32. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he now expects the results of the research done partly by his Department into deep sea fishing, at depths greater than normal, in the Celtic Sea; what action he is taking to promote sales of such fish caught at greater depths; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartA full report on the results of the exploratory voyages in deep water west of the British Isles is being published by the White Fish Authority, and I am placing a copy in the Library. Trade demonstrations of products made from the catches have also been held.
The catching, processing and marketing of unfamiliar kinds of fish present many problems which I have discussed with leaders of the catching and processing industries, so that they can assess the practicability of exploiting these resources on a commercial basis.
§ 67. Mr. Grimondasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what experiments are being carried out into 367W fish farming and the exploitation of new species of fish for food; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartResearch in my Department's laboratories is concentrated on rearing turbot and sole, which are the marine species offering the best commercial prospects, and the White Fish Authority is developing techniques for rearing the fish to marketable size at Ardtoe and Hunterston. Some projects for farming salmon and marine fish are also being undertaken by commercial enterprises.
As regards the exploitation of new species, I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply which I have today given to the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell).