Bass Fishery (Hansard, 24 July 1986)

§ Mr. Gummer

Since the interim report on the bass fishery in England and Wales was made available to the House in March 1983 my scientists have continued their work in investigating this fishery.

Their report is now complete and I am pleased to say that they have found the stock to be in a generally satisfactory condition with no evidence of a persistent decline in the adult stock and there are signs that the majority of recent year classes are strong. Provided that there is adequate recruitment of maturing fish to the adult stock there is little risk of a collapse of the stock through inadequate spawning and there is no indication that a restriction on the overall level of exploitation is necessary.

None the less, despite the current comparatively healthy state of the stock, the report indicates that the bass fishery continues to expand both in level of effort and variety of fishing techniques and that it would be prudent to consider long term management measures particularly as much of the fishing activity is concentrated on the younger fish. The report suggests that in the longer term yields could be increased and the spawning stock safeguarded by an increase in the minimum landing size, the introduction of a minimum mesh size and the closure of nursery areas.

My scientists have also recently completed a comprehensive study of gill netting in coastal fisheries in England and Wales, the way gill nets are made and how they catch fish and examines methods for managing the major gill net fisheries. The report also refers to both the current fishing practices and the possible changes 501W following the introduction of a 100mm minimum mesh size regulation as recommended in the bass report, and indicates that there is unlikely to be any adverse effect.

On the basis of the recommendations made in these reports my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I are disposed towards the introduction of an increase in the minimum landing size for bass from 32cm to 36cm; and a minimum mesh size of 100mm for all gill and similar nets with exceptions for pelagic fisheries in those areas where water authorities might consider a smaller millimetre mesh size continued to be justified. Our officials will now set in hand arrangements for consultation with all interested parties. As to the closure of nursery areas, we think this needs further detailed consideration at local level and to be successful would need the full co-operation of the sport fishing interests and local bodies such as sea fishery committees and water authorities. We are therefore inviting all those concerned to study carefully the report of my scientists and consider whether it would be appropriate to propose local arrangements which could be effectively implemented. Our officials will be ready to assist in any way if, for example, sea fishery committees wish to consider the introduction of appropriate byelaws for this purpose.

I am arranging for a copy of both reports to he placed in the Library of the House and copies will be made available to anyone who applies to the Department.