HC Deb 23 January 2001 vol 361 cc515-6W
Mr. Andrew George

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fishing vessels were registered on 1 January in each of the last five years. [146270]

Mr. Morley

The information is in the table.

UK fishing fleet1
Number of UK registered fishing vessels at 1 January Total
1996 9,720
1997 8,667
1998 8,458
1999 8,271
2000 8,040
1 Including Channel Islands and Isle of Man

Source:

UK Sea Fisheries Statistics

Mr. Andrew George

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with sea fishing industry representatives with regard to stock recovery programmes in waters fished by UK registered boats. [146271]

Mr. Morley

The UK Fisheries Conservation Group discussed the west of Scotland and North sea cod and the Northern hake recovery plans on 10 January. I was present for part of the meeting and heard the industry's concerns first hand. The industry were present in Brussels during last week's discussions of the cod recovery plan and were kept fully informed and consulted as the negotiations proceeded. They will also be similarly involved in the continuing discussions on the cod recovery plan this week as well as on the hake plan.