§ Lord Hunt of Chestertonasked Her Majesty's Government:
In the light of the achievement of the Lundy fisheries no take zone, how widely they will apply the no take zone tool; 'what the legislative basis of the tool will be; and how they will support such initiatives of local communities in the future. [HL2960]
§ Lord WhittyNo take zones are one of the range of tools available to fisheries managers and each needs to be considered on a case by case basis. The size of the no take zone, the fish present and patterns of fishing activity are among the factors to be considered in assessing such proposals.
The department has grant aided a voluntary shellfisheries no take zone off St Agnes Head, put forward by Cornwall County Council with the support of local fishermen. Another proposal to identify further the potential for no take zones around Cornwall is under consideration.
The legislative basis for a no take zone could be a Sea Fisheries Committee byelaw, as in the case of the Lundy no take zone, or national or EU legislation.