HC Deb 31 March 1999 vol 328 cc745-6W
Mr. McNulty

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he proposes to issue a consultation paper on the management of the under10-metre fishing fleet. [79985]

Mr. Morley

A consultation paper on steps to improve the management of the under-10-metre fleet is being published today and copies have been placed in the Library of the House. The paper is being sent to inshore fishermen and other interests for comment by 30 June this year.

The paper confirms that the Fisheries Departments are looking at ways in which the management of quota allocations for this part of the inshore fleet can be developed with the objective of avoiding early or mid-year closures of fisheries. At the same time, it seeks views from fishermen and other interests on the steps that might be taken to constrain fishing effort. Action is also planned to deter unlicensed fishing activity, to prohibit the transshipment of fish between under and over-10-metre vessels, and to deal with vessels which have been shortened, re-registered and relicensed as under-10-metre vessels, and subsequently re-lengthened to fish as over10-metre vessels without the necessary consequential adjustments to their registration and licence status.

The under-10-metre fleet is an important and integral part of the UK fishing industry. Its members hold wide ranging and diverse opinions, often reflecting local needs and conditions. The consultation process, which is now under way, will help to draw together these views so that informed decisions on the way forward can be taken later in the year in partnership with the newly devolved administrations. It is expected that any change in the present quota management and licensing arrangements will take effect during the year 2000.