§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to conserve fish stocks in Lough Neagh.
§ Mr. AncramThe Fisheries Consolidated and Amendment Byelaws (NI) 1989 (1989 No. 483) as amended by the Fisheries Amendment Byelaws (NI) 1992 (1992 No. 483) contain measures to conserve fish stocks in Lough Neagh. The byelaws are available in the Library.
The 1992 byelaws increased the minimum size of mesh which may be used in set nets or trammel nets for the taking of pollen, trout, perch, pike and beam respectively. They increased the minimum takeable size of pollen and trout respectively and introduced a minimum takeable size for perch. They also introduced an annual close season 497W —1 March to 31 May—and a weekend closure—0600 hours Saturday to 0600 hours Monday—in respect of commercial fishing for perch, bream and pike.
These measures are enforced by the Fisheries Conservancy Board for Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated length of illegal nets confiscated on Lough Neagh in each of the last three years; and what action is being taken by the Fisheries Conservancy Board to control illegal netting on Lough Neagh.
§ Mr. AncramThe length of illegal nets confiscated on Lough Neagh is set out in the table:
Year Length of nets— metres 1991 15,340 1992 52,590 1993 38,185 The Fisheries Conservancy Board for Northern Ireland controls illegal netting through regular patrols on the lough. The number of patrols has doubled since early 1993.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he plans to introduce quotas for fish harvested from Lough Neagh.
§ Mr. AncramNo. There are no powers to impose quotas in respect of freshwater fish species and existing controls are considered to be adequate to conserve fish stocks in Lough Neagh.