§ Ms AthertonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what assessment he has made of recent reports of large numbers of dolphins caught in pelagic fishing nets off the coast of Devon and Cornwall; [116662]
(2) what estimate he has made of the number of dolphins caught in pelagic fishing nets off the coast of Devon and Cornwall in the last 12 months; [116663]
(3) what plans he has to investigate the reported deaths of dolphins off the coast of Devon and Cornwall due to the use of pelagic fishing nets; [116664]
(4) what recent research his Ministry has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the effect of pelagic nets on dolphins; and what plans he has to monitor the use of such nets by trawlers in this area. [116665]
§ Mr. MorleyI was concerned to learn of the recent spate of dolphins washed up on south western coasts. It is important to establish which fishery is responsible for the problem and what is going wrong in that fishery. Once that is known my Department will then work with the industry and, if appropriate, with the European Commission to find practical remedial solutions. I have already met Brixham Seawatch to hear their views on the situation. They have estimated that 28 animals have been washed ashore in Cornwall and 14 in Devon since 1 January. I am also seeking information from others.
The Sea Mammal Research Unit did some preliminary monitoring work in the pelagic trawl fishery in the last year. No cetacean bycatch was recorded. We have agreed to fund a new three-year programme with SMRU beginning in July 2000 which will include additional monitoring of the pelagic fisheries when they re-start in the Autumn.