HC Deb 02 February 2004 vol 417 cc633-4W
Mr. Paterson

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what influence trawl speed has on(a) species caught and (b) size of fish caught. [149125]

Mr. Bradshaw

Trawl speed can influence the capture of different species, with faster swimmers requiring a faster towing speed, and the duration of tow may affect the size of fish caught, since larger fish may be able to swim for longer before they tire and fall back into the net.