HC Deb 10 April 1986 vol 95 cc162-3W
Sir John Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what stage has been reached in the study by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation of fishing in the south-west Atlantic; what is the United Kingdom part in this study; and whether he will make a statement;

(2) if he will make a statement about the agreement with the Japanese to limit their fishing of Falkland islands and South Georgia waters; and whether he intends to seek other such agreements.

Mr. Eggar

It is encouraging that all the Governments concerned have agreed to participate in the FAO study. FAO experts are compiling data and have recently visited capitals for discussions. The United Kingdom is making a major contribution; we have provided technical data and held talks with FAO officials. We have urged all nations involved to co-operate fully.

Pending completion of the study we have asked fishing nations to take account of our conservation concerns by exercising self-restraint, limiting their 1986 operations to 1985 levels. There has been a positive response. The Japanese authorities have undertaken to keep their fishing effort at the 1985 level by reducing their fishing season and limiting the number of their vessels fishing within the Falkland Islands Protection zone.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what check is kept, and what records are maintained, of the nationality and numbers of fishing vessels in the exclusion zone around the Falklands.

Mr. Eggar

Daily patrols of the Falkland Islands Protection Zone are carried out by the RAF and the Royal Navy. These provide fisheries surveillance reports which incorporate information on the nationalities and numbers of fishing vessels sighted. These reports are analysed regularly by the Falkland Islands Development Corporation in Port Stanley and by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

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