§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which EU countries permit the use of drift nets. [52055]
§ Mr. MorleyDrift nets are widely used from the Baltic to the Mediterranean to catch a range of fish species. Because their use is permitted under European Community rules, all Member States must permit the fishermen of other Member States to use drift nets in their waters where there are rights of access. However, the June 1998 Fisheries Council agreed to ban from the end of 2001 the use of drift nets by Community fishermen to catch certain species, including tuna, swordfish, sharks and cephalopods. These particular drift net fisheries are responsible for a high level of casualties among dolphins and other non-target species.