Fishing (Hansard, 23 May 1989)

§ Mr. Salmond
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of imposing precautionary total allowable catches on west of Scotland plaice, monkfish and megrims; and what scientific evidence is available on stocks of these species.

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
Precautionary total allowable catches (TACs) are fixed for species for which there is insufficient scientific data to set a full analytical TAC, primarily to protect stocks from serious damage by over-exploitation. Concern has been expressed that some precautionary TACs may be unduly restrictive. Fisheries departments are looking at the situation and will consider whether to approach the European Commission to seek an appropriate increase in the level of precautionary TACs.

§ Mr. Salmond
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Fisheries Department expect to publish fund proposals for a revised pressure stock licensing scheme.

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
Fisheries departments are considering comments received from the industry in response to the consultation paper issued last year on possible amendments to the United Kingdom licensing system. The comments received raised a number of wider issues and further consultations seem likely to be necessary before final decisions can be taken.

§ Mr. Salmond
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the impact of Scottish fishermen's earnings of the quota cuts introduced in the current year.

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
Earnings are determined by a number of factors which include the quantity and quality of landings, prices and costs. Quota cuts influence only one of these elements and it is not possible to separate out their impact.

§ Mr. Salmond
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate interest rate charges paid by the Scottish fishing fleet in the first six months of(a) 1989 and (b) 1988; and what is his estimate of the impact this has had on the financial position of the fleet.

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
The capital structure and sources of funding for investment in the Scottish fishing fleet reflect516W the pattern of share ownership and the mixture of business and way of life that characterises the fishing industry. In consequence it is not possible to estimate the level of charges or the impact on the financial position of the fleet.