Written question asked by John Whittingdale (Conservative) on Tuesday, 31 August 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 September 2004. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Monday, 13 September 2004 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, when she expects to agree a management plan for scallops, crabs and lobsters in the Western Channel; what measures she is taking to assess (a) historic shellfish landings that will form the basis of a management plan and (b) current shellfish landings.

Answer: Mr. Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) when she expects to agree a management plan for scallops, crabs and lobsters in the Western Channel; [187425] (2) what measures she is taking to assess (a) historic shellfish landings that will form the basis of a management plan and (b) current shellfish landings. [187426] Mr. Bradshaw: The European Commission indicated in October 2003 that it would bring forward proposals for a management plan for scallops, lobsters and crabs in the Channel. It has not yet done so and we are not aware that such proposals are imminent. Data on shellfish landings by UK vessels and into UK ports are collected annually and published in the United Kingdom Fisheries Statistics series. They are not collected specifically for the purpose of agreeing management plans.

Secondary information