§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he plans to take to682W address the issue of cetacean bycatch in United Kingdom waters; if he will raise cetacean bycatch in the Council of Ministers; if he will raise the issue of protection of cetaceans in the 2002 review of the Common Fisheries Policy; and if he will make a statement. [138016]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 10 November 2000]: The Sea Mammal Research Unit is currently undertaking a three-year research project funded by my Department which will monitor bycatch in a number of fisheries not previously assessed. It will also attempt to establish definitively why harbour porpoises become entangled in gill nets, with a view to developing suitable mitigation measures.
We are also proposing to produce, jointly with DETR, a strategy for the protection of all cetacean species. This will build on that already established for the harbour porpoise.
The Commission and other member states are already well aware of UK concerns on this issue. The Commission have made clear that addressing the problem of cetacean bycatch is one of the issues for coverage in the 2002 Review. I have already raised this issue in the Fisheries Council.