HC Deb 23 July 2004 vol 424 cc807-8W
Mr. Sanders

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to ensure that the UK Bycatch Response Strategy takes steps to protect harbour porpoises in coastal waters where vessels under 12 metres operate. [184897]

Mr. Bradshaw

Agreement was reached at the March Agriculture and Fisheries Council on Community legislation to address this issue. The legislation makes the use of acoustic deterrent devices ("pingers") mandatory for vessels of 12 metres and over involved in specified fixed gear fisheries in the Celtic Sea, Channel and North Sea. Alongside this, on 22 July I announced my intention to request the European Commission to close the pair trawl fishery for bass for the forthcoming season, using the provisions for emergency measures under Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 2371/2002 in the light of research results showing significant dolphin bycatch in this fishery. We are considering whether further measures are required to protect porpoises and other cetaceans in the context of the implementation of the UK Small Cetacean Bycatch Response Strategy.