§ Mr. Greg KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will consult(a) hon. Members whose constituencies have fishing interests, (b) fishermen's organisations and (c) other groups before a decision is made to impose a fishing ban in the vicinity of Lundy Island; [72947]
(2) what evidence has been supplied to her by English Nature on the impact of imposing a fishing ban in the vicinity of Lundy Island; and what assessment of such evidence will be carried out by her officials before a decision is made. [72946]
§ Mr. MorleyThe byelaw to implement a "No Take Zone" around Lundy Island has been proposed by Devon Sea Fisheries Committee (SFC) who are responsible for fisheries management in the area concerned. In proposing the byelaw, the SFC has taken advice from English Nature to comply with the statutory requirement in the case of byelaws proposed on marine environmental grounds. Consultation by the SFC has taken place with local fishing interests and formal public consultation will follow. This will be held in line with the statutory requirements of the Sea Fisheries (Byelaws) Regulations 1985 which require the byelaw to be advertised in publications circulating in the local district and any other publication which the Secretary of State may require.
In confirming the byelaw, this Department will look to ensure that all statutory requirements have been met, any objections received from the publication of the byelaw have been dealt with satisfactorily by the SFC and that the byelaw will not operate in a discriminatory or inequitable way. This Department will also need European Commission approval of the byelaw.