§ Mr. OnslowTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has commissioned into the decline of sea trout stocks in United Kingdom waters.
§ Mr. CurryI refer to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Scottish Office, to a similar question. For England and Wales, there has been an overall fall in the catches of sea trout by rod and line in 1989 and 1990. This may not, however, be conclusive evidence of a decline in the stocks of sea trout supporting the fisheries. The interpretation of trends is complicated by the fact that there were dry summers in both years, as well as by the natural fluctuations in stock availability.
Departmental scientists are continuing to monitor the situation in co-operation with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland and the National Rivers Authority.