To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2007, Official Report, column 1112W, on white fish: conservation, what evidence his Department has received contrary to the advice of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea in 2004 on bass stocks; and if he will make a statement. (181199)

Some angling groups including the Bass Anglers’ Sportsfishing Society (BASS) have submitted information to counter the advice of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) on bass stocks. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, have assessed the information submitted by BASS and do not believe that it alters their advice to DEFRA that bass stocks appear to be fished sustainably. This is consistent with the most recent ICES advice.