§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to amend fisheries regulations to reduce the quantity of discarded fish in the North sea; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JackFish discards can be a particular problem in waters such as the North sea where different species shoal together. Changes to the regulations affecting discards would have to be made under the common fisheries policy. The Council of Fisheries Ministers is concerned36W to reduce discards and has asked the Commission to make proposals. One of the approaches under consideration is to improve the selectivity of fishing gear and research is being undertaken to this end. In the light of this, and other developments, it will be for the Commission to bring forward proposals for amendment to EU regulations.