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Fisheries: Quotas

Volume 461: debated on Tuesday 19 June 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what stocks fished by the UK (a) over-10 metre fleet and (b) under-10 metre fleet are (i) within safe biological limits and (ii) outside safe biological limits, and if he will make a statement. (143560)

The following table records the status of the 47 finfish stocks of most interest to the UK for 2006. The complete picture for 2007 will not be available until after the second instalment of the annual ICES advice is produced in October. Since both segments of the fleet (under-10 and over-10 metre vessels) tend to target similar species, no distinction is made between the stocks fished by each.

ICES area

Stock

2006 status

IV

Cod (inc. III a and VII d)

A

Haddock (inc. III a)

B

Herring (inc. III a and VII d)

B

Norway Pout (inc. III a)

A

Plaice

A

Saithe (inc. III a and VI)

B

Sandeel North and South

A

Sandeel Shetland

C

Sole

A

Sprat

C

Whiting (inc. VII d)

D

VI a

Anglerfish (inc. VI b and IV)

C

Cod

A

Haddock

B

Herring Clyde

D

Herring North

D

Herring VI a (South) and VII b, c

D

Megrim (inc. VI b)

C

Sandeel

D

Whiting

D

VI b

Cod

D

Haddock

B

Whiting

D

VII a

Cod

A

Haddock

C

Herring

D

Plaice

B

Sole

A

Whiting

D

VII d

Plaice

D

Sole

B

VII de

Sprat

D

VII b-k

Haddock

D

VII e

Plaice

A

Sole

A

VII e-k

Cod

A

Whiting

D

VII fg

Plaice

A

Sole

B

VII fgj

Herring

A

Western

Angler (Budegassa) VII b-k and VIII a, b

B

Angler (Piscatorius) VII b-k and VII a, b

B

Hake (Northern)

B

Horse Mackerel

C

Mackerel (NE Atlantic)

D

Megrim VII and VIII a, b, d

D

Combined

Blue Whiting

B

Key to status:

Number of stocks outside safe biological limits—13

(coded A)

Number of stocks within safe biological limits—12

(coded B)

Number of stocks where safe biological limits are not defined—6

(coded C)

Number of stocks where no scientific assessment made—16

(coded D)

Total number of stocks—47

Percentage within safe biological limits (excluding categories C and D)—48 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects to publish proposals to change the way that fishing quota is allocated in the UK for (a) the under-10 metre fleet and (b) the over-10 metre fleet. (143562)

Fisheries administrations are currently considering the future quota management arrangements for both the over and the under 10 metre fleets and expect to consult interested parties on options later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects the European Commission to publish its 2008 fishing opportunities proposals for stocks fished by UK vessels. (143563)

The latest information from the Commission is that they intend to prepare two proposals for regulations concerning fishing opportunities: one relating to stocks in the Baltic sea to be presented in September 2007; and the other covering stocks in the Northeast Atlantic in November 2007, following receipt of the second instalment of the annual scientific advice from ICES in October. New proposals about deep-sea stocks are unlikely, as Council Regulation (EC) No. 2015/2006, concerning fishing opportunities for deep-sea species, already covers both 2007 and 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is his policy to support proposals to reduce total allowable catch and fishing opportunities for fish stocks outside safe biological limits at a rate in excess of 15 per cent. per year; and if he will make a statement. (143564)

In most cases, the UK seeks to follow the scientific advice from ICES on the appropriate catch level for a particular stock. However, there are some cases where, while accepting the ICES stock assessment, the UK does not agree with the management advice suggested by ICES. For example, additional information may be available from other sources, which suggests a different approach.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the proposals in the Commission Communication, Fishing Opportunities for 2008: Policy Statement from the European Commission (COM(2007) 295 final). (143598)

The European Commission have asked for responses from member states by 31 July. Fisheries Departments are currently considering the text whilst consulting relevant stakeholders and the UK intends to provide a full response within the deadline.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whom he will consult before submitting his response to the European Commission on its Communication, Fishing Opportunities for 2008: Policy Statement from the European Commission (COM(2007) 295 final). (143599)

My Department is currently consulting a range of fishing industry representatives (including those in the catching, processing and marketing sectors), scientists and environmental and consumer interests. Equivalent consultations are also being carried out in other parts of the UK by the Fisheries Departments in the Devolved Administrations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the appropriate level for total allowable catch in 2008 in the North Sea for (a) herring, (b) cod, (c) haddock, (d) whiting, (e) plaice and (f) sole; and if he will make a statement. (143600)

ICES advice on the North Sea stocks mentioned was published on 8 June. The Government are considering that advice carefully and has not yet made an assessment of it.