Written question asked by Julian Lewis (Conservative) on Wednesday, 7 May 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 May 2008. It was answered by Jonathan Shaw (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 May 2008 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Fisheries: Shellfish

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what estimate he has made of changes in the (a) capacity of and (b) catch taken by non-UK fishing vessels with historical practice access to UK waters within the 12 mile limit and which target crabs and lobster since 1997; and whether the same minimum landing sizes of crabs apply to vessels from other EU member states and UK vessels when fishing in those waters;

Answer: DEFRA does not hold data on changes in capacity and catches by foreign vessels within the 12 mile limit. Minimum landing sizes, as set out in EU legislation, must by complied with by all EU-flagged vessels.

Secondary information