HC Deb 26 November 1975 vol 901 c161W
Mr. Stephen Ross

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of cod caught by British vessels is under one year old.

Mr. Bishop

The minimum landing size of cod is 30cm while the maximum length of cod of up to one year in age is about 26cm. Minimum mesh sizes of trawls used by United Kingdom vessels in cod fisheries allow the escape of small cod. Those accidentally caught must be returned to the sea.