§ Sir Cranley OnslowTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations her Department has received from angling organisations and angling clubs in England and Wales, and from individual anglers, about cormorant predation; what action is being taken in response; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. JackThe following individuals, organisations and clubs have expressed their concern to the Ministry about cormorant predation.
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- G. R. Hemus, Esq.
- P. M. Hobson, Esq.
- F. Sandison, Esq.
- Major D. J. Shaw
- Aramstone Fishery
- Atlantic Salmon Association
- Blue Circle Northfleet Works Coarse Angling Club
- British Field Sports Society
- Duncan Cameron and Sons Ltd.
- Ernest Cook Trust
- Furness Fishing Association
- Hampton Bishop Fishery
- Harris and Sheldon Group Ltd.
- Hereford and District Angling Association
- Kingfisher Angling and Preservation Society
- Lancashire Fishery Conservation Association
- Luggs Mouth and Lower Carrots Fishery
- Orpington and District Angling Association
- Ouse Angling Preservation Society
- P. M. Fisheries
- Salmon and Trout Association
- Sam Davies Angling Syndicate
- Severn Fisheries Consultative Council
- St. Helens Angling Association
- Wantsum Angling Association
- Wye Salmon Fishery Owners Association
Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Ministry is a licensing authority for the killing of cormorants where evidence of serious damage to a fishery has been provided. The Ministry considers each application on its merits and is advised by Agricultural Development Advisory Service, the Ministry's wildlife advisers. In addition, the Ministry consults English Nature. Together with other Government Departments, conservation bodies and fisheries interests such as the Salmon and Trout Association, the Atlantic Salmon Trust, the Country Landowners Association and the British Field Sports Society, the Ministry is reviewing its research and development programme on piscivorous birds to inform policy better.