HC Deb 14 February 2003 vol 400 cc83-4W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what plans the Government have to reduce the number of fishing nets which cause harm to dolphins; [96919]

(2) what steps the Government are taking to protect dolphins and porpoises in the British Isles. [96920]

Mr. Morley

Action to address the issue of dolphin and porpoise by-catch needs to be taken internationally, as fishing vessels from many countries are involved. We have been pressing for such action and have commissioned a programme of research and development to reinforce our arguments. Urgent action is needed in the pair trawl fishery for bass off South West England, in which the substantial bulk of vessels are from other member states. Our research programme identified a significant by-catch problem in this fishery and is now trialling a possible gear solution. This looks promising, and I am determined to achieve a solution by this or other means. The second urgent need is to deploy EU observers to identify and assess other problem fisheries. In recent weeks we have advanced the case for action by intervening at the January meeting of the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers, and I have since followed this up by writing to Commissioner Fischler. In addition, with the devolved Administrations, I will shortly be issuing a consultation document outlining a UK by-catch response strategy.

Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the use of fishing net-based detectors to prevent the accidental drowning of dolphins and porpoises. [96509]

Mr. Morley

The Sea Mammal Research Unit have undertaken trials on the use of detectors as part of their work on behalf of this Department into dolphin and porpoise by catch. To date, this research has demonstrated that detectors may have a role in monitoring the behaviour of dolphin and porpoises around fishing gear but that acoustic deterrent devices (known as pingers) and other gear adjustments have greater potential to prevent bycatch.