§ 39. Sir Walter Cleggasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the North sea mesh size which will be operative from 1 January 1987.
§ Mr. GummerThe general mesh size in the North sea will increase from 80mm to 85mm on 1 January 1987. This is a first stage in increasing the mesh size to 90mm, which will take effect on 1 January 1989. The existing derogation for vessels under 300bhp fishing for sole will be retained and larger vessels fishing for sole will be able to continue to use 80mm meshes provided they have at least 15 per cent. sole on board and no more than 20 per cent. of cod, haddock, whiting and saithe combined.