Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider a ban on the use of twin netting for the catching of nephrops by Scottish fishermen; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythI have been asked to reply. Fisheries Departments will shortly issue a consultation paper on the conservation of nephrops. This consultation paper will cover various options for conserving nephrops stocks, including a suggestion from parts of the industry to ban the use of twin and multi-rig trawls. Ministers will consider these various options in the light of responses to the consultation paper.
Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total catch of nephrops landed in Scotland in the years 1988, 1989 and 1990, and the total catch landed so far in 1991.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythI have been asked to reply. The total landings of nephrops into Scotland by all vessels are as follows:
Year 1Tonnes 1988 19,218 1989 18,080 1990 16,946 1991 214,291 1 Standard landed weight 2 Landings on the central computer on 14 October 1991.