§ Mr. Onslowasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the reduction in the annual salmon catch of the north-east drift net fishery that will result from the measures he has now proposed.
§ Mr. GummerThe measures I announced on 7 November will require the licensed fisherman to be present when his net is fished, prohibit night fishing, standardise weekend close times on the longest period now in force and change the balance of fishing effort between drift nets and fixed nets. Catches vary greatly from year to year, because of changes in the weather and other natural causes, and I cannot give a specific figure for the extent of the reduction likely to result from the new measures. It is, however, likely to be significant.