§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has had on total allowable catches for cod and plaice; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerI have had no recent representations on total allowable catches for cod and plaice in the North sea or off the west of Scotland. Fishermen's representatives have, however, been in touch with my officials to express their concern at the level of the precautionary total allowable catch for Channel cod (ICES areas VII excluding VIIa, VIII, IX and X). In consultation with the area VII industry advisory committee the fishery was closed on 11 April in the light of catch statistics up to that date.
The ICES advisory committee on fisheries management meets next month and we shall press for a review of the total allowable catch for any stock of importance to the United Kingdom should the committee's scientific assessment indicate that there is any scope to do so.