§ Mr. GallieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps are taken to ensure non-sector boats keep within hake quota limits within west of Scotland waters;
(2) what measures are taken to monitor boats fishing for hake in west of Scotland waters.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 11 November 1992]: All vessels fishing in the waters off the west coast of Scotland are subject to inspection by officers of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency. In 1991, 1,130 fishing vessels were inspected by the agency's fishery protection vessels in west coast waters and over 35,000 landings of whitefish were inspected at Scottish ports. These control measures apply to hake and other species. They are designed to ensure that vessels catch and land only the species for which they are licensed and that the quantities landed by vessels fishing against non-sector allocations do not exceed their quotas. All landings are individually recorded on a computer system to show the quantities and species landed by each vessel.
§ Mr. GallieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what quota arrangements currently exist for hake as applicable to the west coast of Scotland.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 11 November 1992]: Quotas for Western hake this year have been managed by two Scottish producer organisations (the Scottish Fishermen's Organisation and the North East of Scotland PO), the two Irish Producer Organisations (NIFPO and ANIFPO), and two English Producer Organisations (Fleetwood and Cornish). A copy of the rules on the quota management arrangements for white fish stocks in 1992 has been placed in the Library. Almost 54 per cent. of this year's quota is allocated to the rest of the fleet and is managed by Fisheries Departments which set monthly limits on vessel's landings, following consultation with relevant fishing interests.
§ Mr. GallieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent Scottish Producers Organisation hake quotas were reduced part way through the quota year for west of Scotland waters; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 11 November 1992]: The methodology for allocating the United Kingdom quota of Western hake, and area VII anglers and megrim, to producer organisations and vessels in the non-sector was adjusted this year to take account of vessels which were de-registered in 1989, under the Merchant Shipping Act 1988, and which subsequently rejoined the United Kingdom fleet.
In accordance with the timetable for issue of allocations, agreed with the industry, producer organisations were advised o n 9 March of their provision allocation and had two weeks to make representations. No representations were received from the Scottish producers organisations and final allocations were issued on 15 April.