HC Deb 13 February 1976 vol 905 c456W
Sir J. Langford-Holt

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, since reduction in size of fish being caught in a given area comparing one year with another is the main indication of over-fishing, he will give the average weight, length and age of cod taken in the years 1973, 1974 and 1975 from the area surrounding Iceland from the seas within the 200-mile limit claimed by Iceland; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Bishop

Variation in the size of fish caught from one year to another does not by itself give a reliable indication of over-fishing. The data requested is available only for catches by United Kingdom vessels, and is as follows:

1973 1974 1975
Average length (cm.) 55.05 58.13 58.38
Average weight (kg.) 1.80 1.98 2.05
Average age (years) 4.37 4.52 4.60
The Government's policy takes full account of the need to conserve fish stocks, off Iceland and elsewhere.