§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the fishing community about the accuracy of the calculations used to determine the 1992 North sea haddock total allowable catch.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 1 December 1992]: I have received a number of representations from the industry about the possibility of increasing the North sea haddock total allowable catch for this year. Scientific surveys conducted during 1992 confirmed the estimates of stock size on which the TAC was set.
§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the methodology used to arrive at the 1992 haddock North sea total allowable catch; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 1 December 1992]: The North sea haddock total allowable catch was set on the basis of the stock assessment and of scientific advice on the need for a 30 per cent. reduction from the 1989 level of fishing effort. This advice was based on the standard methodology employed for stock assessment and the reduction in effort was considered necessary in order to reduce the very high level of mortality of the stock.