§ Dr. Godmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the number of fishing vessels active in the waters bounded by the newly promulgated fishing limits around the Falklands.
§ Mr. EggarSome 600 vessels were sighted fishing in the Falkland Islands protection zone during the main 1986 squid fishing season which ended in June. For 1987 the Falkland Islands Government will be aiming to reduce significantly the numbers of vessels targeting squid in the Falkland Islands interim conservation and management zone.
Detailed licensing arrangements will be drawn up shortly.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether, during the course of discussions with the Soviet Union over the last six months on the subject of the south Atlantic fisheries, the Soviet Union objected to the imposition of the Falkland Islands interim conservation and management zone;
(2) whether he has received any response from the Soviet Government or their representatives in London on the question of Her Majesty's Government's establishment of the Falkland Islands interim conservation and management zone.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he expects any difficulties with the Soviet Union or other East European countries to arise following upon his decision to establish the Falkland Islands interim conservation and management zone.
§ Mr. EggarIt is in the interests of all the fishing nations and fleets including those of the Soviet Union and other East European states to co-operate in orderly functioning of the interim conservation and management zone.