Drift Nets (Hansard, 1 July 1997)

§ Mr. Baker
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he has made of (i) the numbers of(a) whales, (b) dolphins, (c) sharks, (d) turtles and (e) birds caught by accident in drift nets in 1996, and (ii) the percentage of those in each category caught by fishermen of each EU member country; and if he will make a statement. [6004]

§ Mr. Morley
The information available is from 1995 when Sea Marnmal Research Unit observers on the nine English boats in the North-east Atlantic high seas tuna drift net fishery observed 62 hauls. Reported by-catch included:

Number

(a) Whales 0

Dolphins 46 (from which figure SMRU estimated that the total by-catch by the UK fleet was 165 dolphins)

(c) Turtles 8(of which 6 were returned alive to the sea)

(d) Birds 9

157W
The observers also reported 1,163 sharks caught, but the majority of these were landed and sold. I do not have equivalent figures for captures by the tuna fishing vessels of other countries.
I am currently considering our policy towards high seas drift nets.

§ Mr. Baker
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make it his policy to press for an EU-wide ban on the use of drift nets; [6006]
(2) what is his policy in respect of the use of drift nets and the capture of non-target species in such nets. [6008]

§ Mr. Morley
It is important to distinguish between the types of drift net in use. Coastal salmon drift nets and other small scale inshore drift nets are not believed to have much, if any, adverse environmental impact. The only high seas drift net fishery in which UK vessels take part is the seasonal North-East Atlantic tuna fishery. There is evidence that these drift nets do capture non-target species.
I am currently considering our policy towards high seas drift nets.

Scheme 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 (To 30 June)

Farms Grants² 1,095 1,655 1,086 687 803 60

West Penwith ESA 200 200 200 200 200 257

Cuntryside Stewardship² — — — — 888 223

Objective 5b² — — — 116 238 135

² Includes applications and claims for both Devon and Cornwall, Since 1992 all applications and claims for Devon and Cornwall under the Integrated Administration and Control System, the Arable Area Payments Scheme, the Beef Special Premium Scheme, Cattle Passports, the Suckler Cow premium Scheme, the Sheep Annual Premium Scheme, Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances, the Dartmoor and Blackdown Hills ESAs and to her environmental schemes have been processed at the Ministry's Regional Service Centre at Exeter.

	Number
(a) Whales	0
Dolphins	46 (from which figure SMRU estimated that the total by-catch by the UK fleet was 165 dolphins)
(c) Turtles	8(of which 6 were returned alive to the sea)
(d) Birds	9

Scheme	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997 (To 30 June)
Farms Grants²	1,095	1,655	1,086	687	803	60
West Penwith ESA	200	200	200	200	200	257
Cuntryside Stewardship²	—	—	—	—	888	223
Objective 5b²	—	—	—	116	238	135
² Includes applications and claims for both Devon and Cornwall, Since 1992 all applications and claims for Devon and Cornwall under the Integrated Administration and Control System, the Arable Area Payments Scheme, the Beef Special Premium Scheme, Cattle Passports, the Suckler Cow premium Scheme, the Sheep Annual Premium Scheme, Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances, the Dartmoor and Blackdown Hills ESAs and to her environmental schemes have been processed at the Ministry's Regional Service Centre at Exeter.