§ Mr. Onslowasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he has received from 918W water authorities in England and Wales about the incidence of salmon poaching since the passing of the Salmon Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerWe are in regular contact with the water authorities on a range of issues concerning the enforcement of salmon and freshwater fisheries law. The most-up-to-date statistics available on poaching are for 1986, during which year water authorities mounted a total of 781 prosecutions for offences concerning salmon and migratory trout. When the new measures introduced by the Salmon Act 1986 have been in force long enough to permit an assessment of their impact, it is our intention to invite the Salmon Advisory Committee to examine their effectiveness.