HC Deb 10 June 1991 vol 192 cc414-5W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy that the krill fishery around South Georgia and the South Orkney islands be banned and that immediate conservation measures are introduced at the next meeting of the parties to the convention on the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources.

Mr. Garel-Jones

In successive meetings of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources—CCAMLR—the United Kingdom has argued for precautionary limits on krill catches, although there is as yet no scientific evidence that krill stocks have been adversely affected by fishing. CCAMLR decisions are taken by consensus, and a precautionary limit has not to date been agreed. At the next meeting we shall again press strongly for such a limit.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what conservation measures his Department is considering following the British Antarctic survey report on the fish and krill population around South Georgia.

Mr. Garel-Jones

Conservation of fish stocks around South Georgia, outside the 12-mile territorial limit, is the responsibility of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. At the next meeting, in October, the United Kingdom will press for strict conservation measures in light of the latest scientific evidence. Measures under consideration include a ban on fin-fishing and a precautionary limit on krill catches.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now ban fin-fishing around South Georgia to protect existing fish populations.

Mr. Garel-Jones

Conservation of fish stocks around South Georgia, outside the 12-mile territorial limit, is the responsibility of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. At the next meeting of the Commission the United Kingdom will base its recommendations on the scientific evidence available; a ban on fin-fishing around South Georgia in the coming year is under consideration.