Monofilament Nets (Hansard, 28 February 1996)

§ Mr. Morley
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what increase in fishing efforts he estimates will take place after the lifting of the ban on the use of large mesh monofilament nets by Scottish boats. [17606]

§ Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
No substantial increase in effort is anticipated.

§ Mr. Morley
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for which target species he expects Scottish boats to set large mesh monofilament nets when their use becomes legal; and in what ways this will be monitored. [17608]

§ Mr. Robertson
Fishermen are expected to target large flat fish, such as brill, turbot and various rays, as well as anglerfish, if Parliament approves the use of these nets in Scottish waters. Catches will be monitored in the same way as catches made with other static net gear.

§ Mr. Morley
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what monitoring will take place in respect of the impact of large mesh monofilament nets on marine birds species when the ban on their use by Scottish boats is lifted. [17610]

§ Mr. Robertson
The nets, which fishermen are expected to use as bottom set tangle nets, are unlikely to pose a threat to these species. Their operation will be kept under review nonetheless.

§ Mr. Morley
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) in what circumstances he will close areas to monofilament nets; [17612]
(2) if he will bring forward measures to restrict the use of large mesh monofilament nets by Scottish boats, in areas where they could cause problems of entanglement of wildlife before lifting the ban on their use. [17607]

§ Mr. Robertson
Once approved by Parliament, fishermen are expected to operate these nets as bottom set tangle nets which pose no additional threat to wildlife. The selective use of such nets by area is not proposed. Their operation will be kept under review nonetheless.

§ Mr. Morley
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what efforts he will be making to ensure that bycatch of marine wildlife in fishing gear is(a) prevented or (b) minimised; [17605]
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(2) if he will introduce a monitoring scheme to assess the impact upon marine wildlife when the ban on the use of large mesh monofilament nets by Scottish boats is lifted. [17611]

§ Mr. Robertson
The Government apply arrangements under the agreement on conservation of small cetaceans of the Baltic and North seas and have no plans to introduce additional measures.

§ Mr. Morley
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the voluntary reporting scheme of marine mammal bycatch to assess the impact of large mesh monofilament nets. [17609]

§ Mr. Robertson
The Government are satisfied that large mesh monofilament nets, if approved by Parliament for use in Scottish waters, pose no greater threat than similar sized nets made from other synthetic materials. The effectiveness of the scheme is kept under review and additional scientific research has been commissioned to aid that process.

§ Mr. Morley
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the consultation he has conducted regarding the use of large mesh monofilament nets. [17613]

§ Mr. Robertson
I am satisfied that all those with a direct interest in this matter were consulted fully.