§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial resources were allocated to stock assessment of basking sharks in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangIt is not possible to undertake a stock assessment for basking sharks and therefore resources are not allocated specifically to this task.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what records of incidental catches of basking972W sharks have been recorded by his district fisheries inspectors for each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangIncidental catches of basking sharks are not recorded separately, but the level of incidental catches in the past three years is thought to have been extremely low.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will publish the stock estimates for basking sharks for each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangBasking sharks have a worldwide distribution, and those occurring in British waters appear to be seasonal visitors. No stock estimates are therefore available although examination of Norwegian catch and effort data suggests there has been no long-term change in the population in the last decade.