Salmon And Freshwater Fisheries Review Group

HC Deb 08 April 1998 vol 310 cc234-5W

Mr. Martlew

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the membership and terms of reference of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review Group announced on 7 July 1997; and if he will make a statement. [38516]

Dr. John Cunningham

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have appointed Professor Lynda Warren, Professor of Environmental Law at the University of Wales, to chair the independent Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review Group. In addition, Dr. Nick Giles, Mr. John Golding, Dr. Keith Hendry, Mr. Derek Heselton MBE, Mr. David Hodgkiss, Mrs. Jean Howman, Mrs. Jane James, Dr. Mike Ladle, Mr. Frank Lythgoe, Mr. David Moore, Mr. Mervyn Mountjoy, Mr. Pat O'Reilly, Mr. Stanley Payne, Dr. Anne Powell, Professor Kerry Turner and Mr. John Williams have been appointed members.

The terms of reference for the Review Group are: `To review existing policies and legislation in England and Wales concerning the management and conservation of salmon, trout, eels and freshwater fish and make recommendations. The review and recommendations should take particular account of: the need to maintain, and where appropriate enhance, biodiversity; the need to maximise the economic, social and recreational benefits derived from salmon and freshwater fisheries, taking account both of the interests of local communities and local factors and traditions; the need for management of fisheries to be on a fully sustainable basis, taking account of the precautionary approach.

The review should also consider other factors that may affect the development and sustainability of these fisheries.

The review should examine the institutional arrangements for the regulation and management of these fisheries (including the role of the public sector, the need to involve all interested parties, and arrangements in tidal and coastal waters) and how best such arrangements can be funded.'

Members have been appointed in an independent capacity on the basis of their individual knowledge and expertise of fisheries and/or related conservation issues. We believe the Group is well suited to making recommendations for the future management and conservation of salmon and freshwater fish and look forward to receiving its report in late 1999.