§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress is being made to end the North Sea drift net fishery; what organisations and anglers are participating; and who is funding the operation. [HL1824]
§ Lord WhittyIn their formal response to the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review Group report, the Government announced that they would provide up to £375,000 in each of the next two financial years, subject to match funding from private interests, towards the voluntary buyout of mixed stock salmon drift net fisheries in England. Efforts are focusing on the largest of these, that off the north-east coast.
Constructive discussions between representatives of the drift netsmen and conservation and riparian interests, assisted by officials from the Environment Agency and DEFRA, are ongoing.