§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations have been made to the Belgian authorities about the enforcement of the sole and plaice quota systems in the Channel area.
§ Mr. BishopRepresentations were made to the Belgian authorities at the end of August about continued fishing for sole and plaice in the English Channel by Belgian vessels after the national quota had been fulfilled. Since early September only one Belgian trawler has been observed in the eastern Channel area fishing for sole and plaice. This has happened very recently and has been reported to the Belgian authorities.
§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what fishing quotas for sole and plaice in the Channel area have been agreed for 1976 with non-EEC countries;
(2) what fishing quotas for sole and plaice in the Channel area have been agreed for 1976 with EEC countries.
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§ Mr. BishopFollowing its Annual Meeting in May 1975, the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission has agreed the following national quotas for sole and plaice in the English Channel for the quota year 1st January to 31st December 1976:
Sole Plaice Belgium 150 150 France 870 1,880* United Kingdom 405 1,280 Others (total)† 25 30 * Metric tons. † The figures given relate to the total quantity which may be taken by all other member States of the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission.
§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to ensure that the quota systems to control the amount of sole and plaice caught in the Channel are effectively enforced.
§ Mr. BishopMember States are responsible for enforcing on their own nationals the quotas agreed by the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission. At its mid-term meeting in November the Commission set up a working group to report on the arrangements made by member countries to discharge this responsibility.