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Written question asked by Neil Hudson (Conservative) on Wednesday, 17 January 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 January 2024 (named day). It was answered by Mark Spencer (Conservative) on Monday, 22 January 2024 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Marine Animals: Fishing Catches

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of installing cameras on fishing vessels to gather data on marine mammal bycatch.

Answer

Defra acknowledged in several 2023 fisheries consultations that remote electronic monitoring (REM), including the installation of cameras, can tell us more about interactions between fishing activity and sensitive species. Specifically, our REM consultation set out our proposals in more detail. Using the information which REM provides will allow us to collaborate with the fishing industry to develop better methods for bycatch mitigation, supporting the UK Bycatch Mitigation Initiative.

Defra have funded several mammal focused remote electronic monitoring research and development programmes in recent years, including the ongoing Insight360 programme. This programme aims to develop a comprehensive 360° view of marine mammal bycatch, above and below fishing vessels. If successful, this programme will inform the implementation of technology, such as cameras, on fishing vessels to monitor marine mammal bycatch in the years to come.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
10345
Session
2023-24
Subjects
Cameras Fishing catches Marine animals
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk