§ The Earl of Kimberleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many north east coast drift netters are still operating (a) full time and (b) part time, and what is the estimated cost to buy them out.
§ Lord DonoughueThis year the Environment Agency issued licences to 81 netsmen operating in the north east coast salmon drift net fishery. Under the terms of the Net Limitation Order applicable to the fishery, licences are issued only to applicants who are dependent on fishing for their livelihood.
The Net Limitation Order also precludes the reissue of any licences surrendered by existing licence holders; this makes it possible for interested parties to buy-out the fishery by paying licence holders to surrender their licences. The cost of such a buy-out would be a matter for negotiation between the interests concerned and the licence holders.
§ The Earl of Kimberleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they forecast that north east coast drift net fishing will be completely phased out.
§ Lord DonoughueAt this stage, it is not possible to forecast accurately when this fishery will be completely phased out. However, a recent report by a technical working group, comprising MAFF, SOAEFD and Environment Agency scientists, forecast that, if the current rate of retirement from the fishery is sustained, then the number of licences will halve (from the 1992 level of 142 licences) by 1998 and will fall by about 75 per cent. (to 35 licences) by 2004.