§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to eliminate the illegal use of monofilament gill nets in Scottish waters.
§ Mr. LangOrders prohibiting(a) the use of all gill nets for fishing for salmon and sea trout within half a mile of the shore and (b) the carriage of monofilament gill nets in British fishing boats within six miles of the Scottish coast came into force in 1986.
This and earlier legislation is enforced by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland by means of boardings and inspection of vessels and surveillance both at sea and from the air. In addition any such nets found unattended are confiscated.