§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take further steps to prevent the increase in illegal fishing for mackerel and herring by foreign boats in United Kingdom waters.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI have nothing to add to the reply given by my hon. Friend on Friday 25 April 1980.—[Vol. 984, c.319.]
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what restrictions are in force at present to prevent trawlers of the British fishing industry from fishing in United Kingdom waters; and which of these restrictions do not apply to other member States of the EEC or Third world countries.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerWithin the United Kingdom fishery limits, fishing for herring is prohibited in the North Sea, to the west of Scotland, in the south-western approaches and in the English Channel. Fishing for Norway pout is also prohibited in a specified area off the north east of Scotland. Fishing for mackerel164W in a specified area off the south-west of England with purse seines or trawls of less than 70mm is also prohibited until 15 November. All these prohibitions—and a number of other measures regulating, for example, the gear to be used in certain areas—apply to vessels of all nationalities.
In addition, fishing for western mackerel by certain United Kingdom vessels and United Kingdom fishing for herring in the north Irish Sea is at present suspended under arrangements to phase United Kingdom fishing over the year. There are also, of course, various measures which restrict foreign, but not United Kingdom fishing in these areas and elsewhere in our waters.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the 5 per cent. by-catch of herring which is permitted under the present regulations is being strictly adhered to by all vessels operating in United Kingdom waters.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerRegular inspections undertaken by the fishery protection squadron in United Kingdom waters have not yet revealed any breaches of the 5 per cent. herring by-catch limit.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many enforcement officials are employed, and at which locations, with specific responsibility for checking against illegal landings of banned species of fish into the United Kingdom from foreign vessels or freezer containers, with particular reference to mackerel and herring.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerUnited Kingdom fisheries departments have 181 officers in their fisheries inspectorates whose responsibilities include checking for illegal landings. These officers are deployed throughout the United Kingdom, mainly at fishing ports.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to reduce the present level of 4,000 Russians who are employed in fishing in United Kingdom waters so as to permit larger quotas to British fishermen.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThere are not 4,000 Russians employed in fishing in 165W United Kingdom waters. Since 1977 Russian vessels have been prohibited under section 2(2) of the Fishery Limits Act 1976 from fishing within United Kingdom fishery limits.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what catch opportunities will be available to the British fishing industry to make up for lost fishing areas; and what are the locations of any new fishing grounds.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe bulk of future catching opportunities are likely to be found in waters under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of European Community member States, in which the Government seek a substantial share of the available quotas for the United Kingdom. Some limited opportunities are available in the waters of third countries as a result of the negotation of agreements between the Community and the countries concerned. The Government have also recently made available financial assistance for exploratory voyages to assess alternative stocks.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the fact that the French Government have allocated the equivalent of £20 million sterling to restructure the fishing industry in advance of agreement on a new common fisheries policy for all EEC members, if he will now take similar steps to restructure the British fishing industry.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe Government consider that the requirement for financial assistance for restructuring the United Kingdom fishing industry can best be assessed in the context of a settlement of the common fisheries policy. In the meantime, Government and EEC grants are available for the building and modernisation of fishing vessels.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his attention has been drawn to the latest European catch report which shows that French fishermen are receiving high oil subsidies; and if, in these circumsances, he will now consider granting a similar subsidy to the British fishing fleet.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithMy right hon. Friend is aware of the various forms of aid given by the French Government to their fishing industry. As my hon. Friend166W knows, we have recently provided additional aid for the United Kingdom industry through the schemes announced by my right hon. Friend on 13 March.—[Vol. 980, c. 1571.]
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the fact that members of the French fishing fleets are using undersized nets in British waters to catch herring and that herring with a size of 27 cm., 26 cm., and 23 cm., are being exhibited for sale in United Kingdom shops, having been imported fresh from French ports by lorry containers, if he will take steps more effectively to enforce the ban on the use of such nets.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerNo recent evidence has been found indicating that French fishermen are using undersized nets to fish for herring within United Kingdom fishery limits. It is not illegal in this country to land herring of the sizes mentioned.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek powers to ban the import of fish which have been caught in United Kingdom waters by foreign boats and landed at their home ports.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithNo.