§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the fish species in United Kingdom waters and in the North Atlantic that(a) have been fished out and (b) are in danger of being fished out. [17854]
§ Mr. JackI am not aware that there are any fish species in waters around the United Kingdom or in the north Atlantic which are biologically extinguished or likely to be so. However, on the basis of 1994 scientific assessments, 37 per cent. of commercial fish stocks around the United Kingdom are at or below minimum 1111W biologically acceptable levels, that is, recruitment of young fish is insufficient to maintain the size of the stock at current levels. These stocks are:
- North Sea—cod, saithe, plaice, mackerel;
- Eastern Channel—cod, whiting, plaice;
- Western Channel—sole;
- Bristol Channel—cod, sole, plaice;
- Western waters—hake, mackerel;
- Irish Sea—cod, whiting, sole;
- West of Scotland—cod, haddock, saithe, whiting, Clyde herring
In the north Atlantic, the following stocks are insufficiently prevalent to permit a viable commercial fishery:
- East and West Greenland—offshore cod;
- Faroes—bank cod;
A fishing moratorium applies within the regulatory area of the North-west Atlantic Fisheries Organisation to the following:
American plaice, yellowtail flounder, witch, capelin; cod, in NAFO division 3N0.