§ Mr. Soamesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people are employed in the north-east coast drift fishery.
§ Mr. MacGregorI do not have detailed information on the numbers of people employed in this fishery and the ancillary industries. I am consulting the water authorities concerned and will write to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Soamesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many salmon were taken in the north-east coast drift fishery for each of the last five years.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe total catches of salmon recorded in the Northumbrian and Yorkshire water authority areas by both drift nets and inshore nets were:
Number 1979 43,464 1980 45,790 1981 69,124 1982 50,167 1983 77,277
§ Mr. Soamesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many licences were issued for the taking of salmon in the north-east coast drift fishery for each of the last five years.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe information for the last five years for which final figures are available is as follows:
Number 1979 163 1980 158 1981 153 1982 154 1983 154 In some cases these licences cover the use of inshore nets as well as drift nets.
§ Mr. Soamesasked the Minster of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will be bringing forward plans to curtail the taking of salmon in the north-east coast drift fishery.
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§ Mr. MacGregorAs I said in reply to my hon. Friend on 24 January, we are reviewing the management arrangements in this fishery and will announce our conclusions when we have completed the review.