Written question asked by Candy Atherton (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 March 2005. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Thursday, 10 March 2005 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to monitor the pair trawl sea bass fishery in the south west; what recent reports she has received from observers in the south-west approaches monitoring the pair trawl sea bass fishery.

Answer: Ms Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what plans she has to monitor the pair trawl sea bass fishery in the south west; [219807] (2) what recent reports she has received from observers in the south-west approaches monitoring the pair trawl sea bass fishery. [219866] Mr. Bradshaw: As in previous years, Defra-funded observers have been placed on UK vessels pair trawling for bass in the south-west. This work is now undertaken to comply with the EU bycatch regulation, Council Regulation (EC) No. 812/2004,and so is now a requirement for other member states with vessels in this fishery. The pair trawl fishery for bass usually takes place between November/December and April. Results from the observations will be made available after the fishing season has closed, allowing time for collation and analysis of the data.

Secondary information