§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department is taking to press for the early implementation of the EU proposals to reduce accidental deaths of dolphins and porpoises from UK fishing activity. [164851]
§ Mr. BradshawThe UK has been seeking Community action for some time to address the accidental deaths of dolphins and porpoises from fishing activity. I am pleased therefore that agreement was reached on a new Council regulation to address this problem at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of Ministers Meeting on 22/23 March. The regulation will make the use of acoustic deterrent devices mandatory in certain fixed gear fisheries in the North Sea from 1 June 2005, in the Celtic Sea from 1 January 2006, and in the eastern Channel from 1 January 2007. The regulation also requires member states to implement schemes to monitor bycatch across a range of fisheries from 1 January 2005. This regulation is an important first step in the protection of dolphins and porpoises from the impact of fishing.