HC Deb 21 June 1988 vol 135 cc513-4W
Dr. Marek

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to control fishing in the waters around South Georgia; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

Since 1980 fishing around South Georgia has been subject to the provisions of the convention for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources (CCAMLR). The United Kingdom and a majority of members of the Antarctic treaty are signatories. The CCAMLR Commission have banned fishing for Antarctic cod and in 1987 fixed a total allowable catch (TAC) for mackerel icefish around South Georgia.

In order to increase knowledge of the conservation needs of the South Georgia fishery, the Commissioner for South Georgia last month commissioned the renewable resources assessment group of Imperial college to analyse all existing relevant data. The results of this study will be presented to CCAMLR on completion.