§ Mrs. Bainasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what study he has made of the report of the Galway Board of Fishery Conservators on the implication of drift-net fishing on salmon stocks in Ireland in connection with the practice of drift-net fishing by licensed vessels off the English and Scottish coasts.
§ Mr. Bishop:I am aware that the Board has expressed serious concern about the effects on salmon stocks of over-fishing by drift netting and large-scale poaching. However, I do not consider that a parallel can be drawn between the Irish situation and our own, because drift netting for salmon is illegal in Scottish waters and in the area of the Tweed Commission, and is subject to restrictive licensing by water authorities round the coast of England and Wales.