§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much is currently spent by his Department on studies concerning fishing gear selectivity; and if he has any plans to announce an increase in funding.
§ Mr. CurryFisheries departments currently spend about £1.5 million per year on fishing gear and a significant proportion of this relates to gear selectivity. Most recently, we have implemented measures introducing square mesh panels following such research, and further work on those and other aspects of fishing gear selectivity are in hand. Gear selectivity continues to be a high priority in our research programmes.