§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the planned tuna drift net ban on the livelihoods of United Kingdom fishermen. [50409]
§ Mr. MorleyIn 1997 the value of tuna caught by the five UK vessels participating in the tuna drift net fishery was some £49,000. This represented part of a continuing downward trend.
The decision to end the fishery in December 2001 permits a gradual phasing out so minimising costs to industry, particularly gear maintenance and replacement costs. The fishermen concerned are able to continue fishing for tuna using fishing gear other than drift nets.