§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what policy he has for raising the precautionary total allowable catch on monkfish fishing west of 4°w; and if he will make a statement on fishing access to deep water fisheries.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 1 December 1992]: Scientific studies of west of Scotland anglerfish have been conducted in response to representations from the industry for an increase in total allowable catch. Unfortunately the results suggest that the stock is already fully exploited.
The Government view the development of deep water fisheries as a useful extension of the fishing opportunities available to our fleet.