§ Lord Moranasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the statement by Lord Belstead on 13th February 1986 (col. 385) that "the Government would have power to ban drift nets, using powers in the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967" is still valid; and whether under Section 4 of that Act, Ministers have power to order a control by licence of fishing for salmon and sea trout by certain methods.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Howe)Under Section 4 of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 the Government may, by order, prohibit in any specified area fishing by fishing 15WA boats unless authorised by licence. An order may apply to fishing for a specified description of fish or to fishing by a specified method. These powers could, therefore, be used to ban the use of drift nets or to licence fishing for salmon and sea trout.
The National Rivers Authority—which has a statutory duty to maintain, develop and improve salmon and freshwater fisheries—has similar powers. It has a statutory obligation to licence fishing for salmon and sea trout. It also has extensive powers to regulate salmon and sea trout fisheries, both in fresh water and at sea.