§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the ban on drift net fishing announced by the European Union will come into force; how it will be policed; what penalties will be imposed on fishing fleets which breach the ban on drift net fishing; and if he will press for a world wide ban on drift net fishing. [45858]
§ Mr. MorleyAfter 31 December 2001 it will be illegal for EU fishermen to use high seas drift-nets for tuna, swordfish and similar species. As with other fisheries on the high seas, responsibility for enforcement and dealing 551W with infringements will be a matter for the flag state. A United Nations Resolution, which the United Kingdom fully supports, already calls for a moratorium on high-seas drift-nets.