§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his oral statement of 20 March 2001,Official Report, column 54WH, if he will publish the scientific advice on the level of the by-catch in the sand eel fishery. [157952]
§ Mr. MorleyThis was summarised in an article on sand eels inFishing News on Friday, 6 April. Table 1 gives details of haddock, whiting and cod by-catches in industrial fisheries for 1995–1999.
§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list(a) the names of the British scientists and discard experts who will work on board Danish industrial fishing vessels fishing for sand eels up 43W to the end of June, (b) the names and registration numbers of the vessels involved and (c) the area in which they will be fishing. [157832]
§ Mr. MorleyFollowing initial contacts with the Danish authorities arrangements are being made for two discard experts from CEFAS to spend time on Danish fisheries protection vessels later this month. They will board Danish sand eel vessels as necessary fishing in the eastern closed area. Arrangements are also being made for CEFAS scientists to be on board Danish sand eel vessels fishing in June and July in the central North sea.
§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if UK scientists will(a) monitor the landing of the catches of fishing vessels engaged in the current research programme into sand eels and (b) be allowed full access to the landing and processing area. [157829]
§ Mr. MorleyYes.