Committee
Environment and Rural Development Committee, 24 Jan 2007
24 Jan 2007 · S2 · Environment and Rural Development Committee
Item of business
Subordinate Legislation
Prohibition of Fishing with Multiple Trawls (No 2) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2006 (SSI 2006/602)
Although it is not my job to respond to Ted Brocklebank, I refer him to the first line of paragraph 3 of the regulatory impact assessment, which says:"This would remove the possibility of increased use of multiple trawls by Scottish vessels and other UK vessels fishing in Scottish waters, and by any vessel within the Scottish 12-mile limit".That is a matter for ministers to address and respond to.I want to make another point about the order. I seek further information from ministers on details of the impact of the registration scheme that was introduced on 1 January 2006. That scheme dictates that a seller or buyer of prawn now has to be registered. We are hearing anecdotal evidence that the price of prawn has increased by 30 per cent, and that the reason for that—again, it is anecdotal—is that everything landed by a registered seller or buyer is accounted for. That is taking care of black landings, the illegal landings that have blighted fishing not only on the west coast but particularly on the east coast of Scotland, where even the political classes seemed to accept that black fish landings should be allowed to continue unabated. If it is appropriate, I would like to ask the relevant minister, through the convener, for an update on the impact of the system of registration and whether it has been positive or negative, although all the evidence points in the direction of a positive impact.
In the same item of business
The Convener:
Lab
The Subordinate Legislation Committee has made comments on both the Scottish statutory instruments that we are considering today, which have been included in...
Mr Brocklebank:
Con
It seems that we are being asked to pass a negative instrument before there has been time for full consideration of the implications. As you know, the purpos...
The Convener:
Lab
Are there any other comments?
Mr Morrison:
Lab
Although it is not my job to respond to Ted Brocklebank, I refer him to the first line of paragraph 3 of the regulatory impact assessment, which says:"This w...
Rob Gibson:
SNP
We hear that there are between three and five vessels. Can we have some indication of where they are fishing at the moment? I would be interested to know tha...
The Convener:
Lab
We can certainly write to the minister and raise the various questions that have been asked by the committee today.
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
I have a small point to add to the letter. I understand that other EU states are going to adopt similar measures and I would be interested to know their time...
The Convener:
Lab
We can defer consideration of the order until next week. Would it be appropriate to write to the minister with our various queries, see what answers we get a...
Nora Radcliffe:
LD
How many multiple-trawl boats are there? There seems to be a very small number; there may be only three and they may have been given a derogation to undertak...
The Convener:
Lab
Sure. We do not know the exact number; it is between two and five.
Nora Radcliffe:
LD
We do not know what the small number is. If there are only three vessels and they have been given a derogation to do research, that would alter the argument.
Mr Morrison:
Lab
I am perfectly happy to pass the order today, on the clear understanding that ministers will respond to legitimate questions, as they always do.
The Convener:
Lab
We have a week, so we can defer the order, consider it and pass it next week. It will give people comfort if we get a response from the minister before we co...