Deep-sea Fish

HC Deb 01 February 1996 vol 270 c854W

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of action needed to implement the recommendations of Dr. Martin Angel of Southampton's report on "Deep-Sea Fish and their Habits". [11740]

Mr. Hanley

In 1990, the ODA commissioned a series of papers, by Dr. Martin Angel and other specialists in aquatic biodiversity, to inform the preparation of an ODA biodiversity strategy. In 1995, ODA commissioned these authors to update their papers. The report was presented to countries at the second conference of the parties to the biodiversity convention last year to help stimulate debate. The findings of Dr. Angel's report will inform ODA's future programme but as the report goes wider than ODA's responsibilities, the ODA will be consulting other Government Departments on its follow-up.