§ Mr. OnslowTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to initiate discussions at European Community level about the need for action to combat illegal drift net fishing for Atlantic salmon in international waters.
§ Mr. GummerMinisters and officials discuss the enforcement of regulations with other EC member states and with the Commission and will continue to do so. For international waters, the main forum for discussion of regulatory measures is the North Atlantic Conservation Organisation (NASCO) to which the European Community is a contracting party. That organisation is well aware of the problem of illegal drift netting for Atlantic salmon in international waters.
We have consistently taken a strong line on all forms of illegal fishing for Atlantic salmon and will continue to do so.