§ 30. Mr. Trotterasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the likely total cost to the British fishing industry of acquiring new nets in order to comply with the change in authorised net sizes on 1st October under the Fishing Nets (North East Atlantic) Order 1976; and what proposals he has to compensate the owners concerned for their additional cost.
§ Mr. BishopI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 26th October—[Vol. 918, c.160.]—when I said that about 125 vessels may be affected by the order; this is the approximate number of vessels in England and Wales using 671W small mesh nets. My inspectors have found that the great majority of these vessels will be using nets which comply, and only 25–30 vessels will need to adjust their gear now. I have no plans to compensate fishermen. These measures were introduced with the agreement of the industry, and are designed to help to protect stocks and increase long-term returns.