§ Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why his Department decided to impose a ban on the use of nylon monofilament nets in fishing for salmon in Scottish waters; what is his preliminary assessment of the effect of the ban; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKaySince 1962 there has been a ban on the use of drift nets set from a boat to catch salmon in Scottish waters. That ban was extended to cover the use of gill nets, however set, with effect from 31 March 1986; at the same time an order was made prohibiting the carriage of monofilament gill nets for any purpose in any British fishing boat in Scottish inshore waters. These measures were designed to conserve salmon stocks and to aid the law enforcement agencies in dealing with illegal salmon fishing.
It is too soon to assess the effect of the recent orders.