§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has about those EEC countries which have banned the use of drift net fishing.
§ Mr. CurryWithin the European Community, drift nets are used for fishing for a range of commercial species and are subject to control and regulation under individual member states' legislation. Most recently Italy introduced a ban last October on drift netting for swordfish by its fishermen in the Mediterranean.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has made any representations to the French Government about the slaughter of dolphins arising from drift net fishing; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryNo. Recent reports are unclear but marine mammals can be accidentally caught in nets. Much concern recently has been focused on the tuna fisheries in the Pacific ocean and the European Community has supported the United Nations resolution which was passed in December to deal with the indiscriminate use of large-scale pelagic drift netting on the high seas.