§ Sir Cranley OnslowTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action his Department is taking to reduce industrial fishing by Denmark in the North sea. [32547]
§ Mr. BaldryThe latest available statistics show that catches by Danish vessels of sandeels and Norway pout—which are the main species of the North sea industrial fishery—were some 35 per cent. down on the previous year. None the less, the impact of industrial fishing needs to be better understood. We have been pressing for more scientific work to be done and the UK supported the recommendation of the recent North Sea Conference that there should be more research into the effects of industrial fishing. Such research will assist the European Commission to bring forward appropriate proposals for the better management of this fishery.