§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the destruction of sea birds in Carbis bay, Cornwall, through entanglement in nylon monofilament fishing nets; if he will take steps to ban the use of these nets; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerI have received representations from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds about the recent deaths of sea birds in Carbis bay, Cornwall, through entanglement in fishing nets. Under normal circumstances the use of monofilament nets does not present a significant threat to populations of sea birds. However, in recent weeks, the adverse weather has driven sea birds inshore and prevented local fishermen from setting their nets further out to sea. Additionally, there has been a particular abundance of small fish, notably sprat, in the area. These factors, taken together, have resulted in unusually high fatalities among sea birds. We are keeping the situation under review.