§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether any further restrictions are planned for the mackerel fishery off the South-West of England.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithWith effect from 1 March we are suspending fishing for mackerel in ICES areas VI, VII280W and VIII by licensed United Kingdom vessels subject to weekly quotas. We are doing this having regard to the level of catches so far this year and the need to reserve adequate quantities of mackerel for the vessels concerned to take later in the year. We are also lifting the suspension of licensed United Kingdom fishing for mackerel in the North Sea.
In addition, the Community conservation regulation (2527/80) provides that the use of small mesh nets and purse seines in fishing for mackerel is prohibited from 1 March until 15 November in an area of some 4,000 square miles off Cornwall. The prohibition applies to vessels of all nationalities and is designed to reduce catches of immature mackerel.