§ Geraldine SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under what powers, and for what reasons, the North-West and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee may close cockle beds. [156858]
1161W
§ Mr Bradshaw[holding answer 27 February 2004]: The North-West and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee may close cockle beds in their district for the purposes of fishery management or for controlling the rate of exploitation of the cockle stocks therein. The closure must be for a specified period and undertaken only after consultation with scientists and local cockle fishermen. Sea Fisheries Committees' byelaws are made under the Sea Fisheries Regulation Act 1966 (as amended).