§ Lord Sanderson of Bowdenasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they propose to stop the practice of drift netting at sea off the coast of north-east England, bearing in mind the estimated catch of salmon by such methods in 1999. [HL3405]
§ Baroness HaymanThe north-east coast salmon drift net fishery is being phased out; the numbers of net licences issued has halved since the phase-out began in 1993. The Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review recommended that the phase-out should be accelerated, with compensation offered to netsmen to encourage them to leave this fishery on a voluntary basis as soon as possible. The Government are currently seeking views on the review's recommendations, and will make their response to them later in the year.