Pelagic Drift Net Fishing (Hansard, 24 November 1989)

§ Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if any British fishers or registered ships are currently employing large-scale pelagic drift net fishing.

§ Mr. Curry
It is not the practice of British fishers or British registered ships to employ large-scale pelagic drift nets.

§ Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of large scale pelagic drift net fishing.

§ Mr. Curry
Where appropriate, the Government support the introduction of suitable management procedures so that fisheries are conducted on a rational and sustainable basis, with due regard also to the conservation of the wider marine environment. Should large-scale pelagic drift net fishing be found to impact adversely on marine resources, we would support appropriate measures being taken.

§ Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has concerning the impact on marine resources of large-scale pelagic drift net fishing.

§ Mr. Curry
For the south Pacific, there is information which suggests that the current extent and practices in the large-scale pelagic drift net fisheries are likely to affect marine resources adversely.

§ Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether large-scale pelagic drift net fishing takes place in waters over which Her Majesty's Government exercises jurisdiction.

§ Mr. Curry
No.