§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is yet in a position to publish the findings of the review of the effects of the offshore driftnet salmon fishing on stocks; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. CurryWork on the statutory review of the salmon net fisheries off the north-east of England and eastern Scotland is under way. Scientists from both my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland are currently collecting and co-ordinating a wide range of scientific information.
Ministers are required by section 39 of the Salmon Act 1986 to lay a report on the review before Parliament as soon as practicable after 6 November this year. Once completed, we will clearly need time to consider this extensive review carefully before we are in a position to present a full report to Parliament. I can confirm that it is our intention to do so as soon as possible.