HC Deb 27 February 1997 vol 291 c323W
Sir Cranley Onslow

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with the chairman of the Environment Agency about the opening date of the north-east drift net fishery. [17399]

Mr. Baldry

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 26 November 1996,Official Report, column 137. I have not had any more recent discussion with the chairman of the Environment Agency about the opening date of this fishery.

Sir Cranley Onslow

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when his Department first received a report proposing a delay in the opening of the north-east salmon drift net fishery; and if he will make a statement. [17517]

Mr. Baldry

There have been a number of proposals to delay the opening date of his fishery. The report on salmon net fisheries presented to Parliament by the then Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Secretary of State for Scotland in October 1991 invited the National Rivers Authority to consider delaying the opening date until 1 May so as to reduce the level of exploitation of spring-running salmon. The NRA decided not to implement this proposal on the ground that any action on spring salmon needed to be part of a wider programme embracing rod and net fisheries in England and Scotland. In June 1995, the then Minister asked the NRA to reconsider its decision, in the light of the Salmon Advisory Committee's report, "Run Timing of Salmon", which recommended that consideration be given to protection of early-running fish, including additional control of exploitation in both commercial and sport fisheries. The Environment Agency, the successor to the NRA, is still considering this request.

Earlier this month, the task force set up by the Secretary of State for Scotland to produce a management strategy for Scottish salmon fisheries recommended that the opening date for the north-east coast drift net fishery be postponed until 1 June. The Government have issued the task force's report for consultation, and will consider this recommendation together with the task force's other recommendations.