§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his guidelines for fishermen456W on how to deal with (a) reptiles and (b) endangered species of turtles in Scottish waters.
§ Sir Hector MonroScottish Natural Heritage is considering the possibility of measures which could contribute to the safe passage of turtles in our national waters. A recent study conducted for SNH by Herpetofauna Consultants International considered reports of turtles in Scottish waters from biological record centres, local museums, fishermen and other sources. The results suggest that turtles are more common around the coast than was previously thought. It is considered that they may have strayed from their migration paths or followed prey along oceanic currents.
SNH, in a news release on 4 October, announced these findings and called for further information from anybody who has sighted turtles. SNH proposes to design appropriate measures once as full a picture as possible has been drawn. My right hon. Friend will be happy to consider any recommendations for turtles and other reptiles.
All marine turtles are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.