§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has evaluated on the incidence of bycatch of harbour porpoises in large mesh monofilament gill nets in reaching his decision on the use of such nets. [26485]
§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonThe likely impacts of various types of synthetic net were evaluated in reaching a decision on this matter.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many harbour porpoises have been killed in large mesh monofilament gill net fisheries(a) in the North sea and (b) in the Celtic sea in each of the last five years. [26486]
§ Mr. RobertsonInformation is not available on which to estimate these numbers.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has received from(a) the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and (b) Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the risk to harbour porpoises from large mesh bottom set monofilament gill nets. [26487]
194W
§ Mr. RobertsonThe JNCC expressed concern that the change might lead to an increase in the incidental capture of harbour porpoises. MAFF did not raise this matter.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of his decision on the use of large mesh monofilament gill nets on the achievement the United Kingdom Government's commitment under the agreement on the conservation of small cetaceans of the Baltic and North seas to reduce the number of harbour porpoises caught in fishing nets. [26488]
§ Mr. RobertsonThese nets should not pose any greater threat to cetaceans than other synthetic nets. This measure should not affect our obligations under that agreement.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (Mrs. Michie) on 6 March,Official Report, column 267, what are the arrangements for monitoring bycatches of marine mammals; and what assessment he has made of their effectiveness at (a) assessing the level of bycatches and (b) reducing bycatches where necessary. [26489]
§ Mr. RobertsonThere are national arrangements for monitoring any bycatches involving fishermen reporting incidents on a voluntary basis. The effectiveness of the scheme is kept under review and additional scientific research has been commissioned to aid that process.