To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make a statement on the discard pilot projects being undertaken by the UK. (165469)

The UK and Ireland are jointly undertaking a pilot project in the Irish Sea to improve the quality of data on catches and discards in a range of fisheries. The project was approved by the European Commission on 27 August and participating vessels are therefore entitled to benefit from extra days at sea under the cod recovery programme.

Results so far are encouraging. The Irish sea data enhancement project has increased observer coverage by at least 100 per cent.. Fishermen, trained under the project, are now regularly engaged in the provision of self-collected discard samples. However, it is too early in the programme to fully evaluate the utility of these data.

The next step will be to apply data validation techniques, contrasting fishermen's records with observer data, and increase the number of participating vessels at the earliest possible opportunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which organisations he has consulted on the European Commission Communication Fishing Opportunities for 2008: Policy Statement from the European Commission (COM(2007) 295 final); and if he will make a statement. (165471)

The document was copied to the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations (NFFO) and English producer organisations as well as a number of other stakeholders, including a range of environmental groups. Similar consultations were carried out in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the proposals contained in the European Commission Communication Fishing Opportunities for 2008: Policy Statement from the European Commission (COM(2007) 295 final); and if he will make a statement. (165472)

The statement does not contain any formal Commission proposals. These are not expected to emerge until later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the total amount of fish landed by the 10 metre and under fleet was in each fishery in each year since 1997, expressed in (a) tonnes and (b) as a percentage of the UK quota available for that fishery; and if he will make a statement; (165479)

Information for 2006 is in Table 1. However, focusing on such an analysis can be misleading, as some of the quota stocks included are of little interest to inshore vessels. In addition, many of these vessels catch types of fish, such as crabs and scallops, which are not subject to quotas and they are thus not subject to the constraints on their activity that may be seen when targeting quota species. Figures for landings of non-quota stocks are included at the foot of the table and show that 20 per cent. of all landings by the UK 10 metre and under fleet are of quota stocks. In addition, the degree to which quota species are important for these vessels varies around the coast. Table 2 shows more detail for landings by 10 metre and under vessels administered from English ports, and shows that in some areas quota stocks make up a small proportion of the total value of fish landed by such vessels.

Similar results for earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) by what method he calculates the maximum sustainable yield for each UK fishery; and if he will make a statement; (165517)

Maximum sustainable yield (MSY) derives from classical fisheries science which states that in the long-term there is an average maximum catch that can be obtained from a stock, without threatening its future viability. This is achieved by fishing at the MSY level (MSYL). This level varies with both the biology (growth and mortality rates) of the stock in question and the fishing practices (including mesh size) used to catch it. The MSY will also depend upon the productivity of the stock. For most of our stocks, the MSYL is at relatively low fishing mortality—typically much lower than exists at present.

Reducing effort to MSY levels implies smaller catches in the short-term, with potential impacts on profitability and the size of the fleet. In the longer-term, however, fishing at MSY levels should ensure greater profitability (catches-per-unit-effort would be higher), improved sustainability and a more robust stock.

Several stocks are currently at or around MSY and can therefore be the continued basis for sustainable fisheries; for example, haddock and saithe. However, we are seeking to develop a common understanding with stakeholders of how we can best approach the issue of long-term management and the role of MSY more generally. In particular, there are significant potential socio-economic consequences with such an approach and it is important to ensure that the UK fishing industry has a sustainable long-term future. We will need to consider carefully how best to achieve a successful balance between stock conservation and fishing opportunity and the appropriate time frame(s) for this process.