HC Deb 19 March 1990 vol 169 cc451-2W
Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what representations he has received regarding the state of the fishing industry on the west coast of Scotland;

(2) what measures his Department intends to take to protect the west coast fishing industry;

(3) what measures his Department intends to introduce to restrict fishing effort during 1990 on the west coast of Scotland.

Mr. Lang

Representations have been received concerning the need to protect certain west coast fish stocks from excessive fishing effort. My noble Friend the Minister of State announced on 8 March that a consultation paper on possible conservation measures would be issued soon. It is hoped to do so in the next few days.

Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department intends to introduce pressure stock licensing to assist in effort limitation on the fishing of stocks on the west coast of Scotland.

Mr. Lang

Pressure stock licensing already applies to stocks on the west coast of Scotland.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any plans to restrict twin and triple rig trawling in the Minch.

Mr. Lang

Fisheries departments will shortly be issuing a consultation paper on a range of measures for conserving stocks on the west coast of Scotland. This will include seeking views on the use of twin and triple rig trawls since some sections of the fishing industry have expressed concern about their impact.

Back to