§ 28. Mr. Robert HicksTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the fishing industry about the future of the south-west mackerel box; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryOn 28 November 1991 a regulation making the box permanent in the interests of conserving the western mackerel stock was adopted. The industry has frequently made clear to us that the south western mackerel box should be retained although some would like to see stricter controls on some fishing with small mesh nets within the box for species such as pilchards and horse mackerel whilst others seek some relaxation to permit a small quota of mackerel for local trawlers. There is at present no evidence to suggest the problem is sufficiently large to require a complete ban on small mesh nets. A small mackerel quota would need EC agreement even if we thought a case might be made.