HC Deb 21 July 1989 vol 157 c408W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he takes to ensure, in exercising his responsibilities in relation to fisheries, that due regard is paid to nature conservation.

Mr. Donald Thompson

Fisheries in British Waters are managed and conserved as renewable natural resources. This may be through either national measures or those coming under the European Community's common fisheries policy. These are designed to keep fish stocks at healthy levels based on the available scientific advice. At the same time, my Department has regard for wider considerations on nature conservation, liaising with statutory and voluntary conservation bodies.