Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Fish Stocks and Marine Life

Thursday 8 September 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Alex Cunningham inquired about steps being taken to ensure sustainable fish stocks and marine life in UK waters.
  • Cunningham highlighted an ecological disaster off the coast of Teesside and North Yorkshire, impacting the fishing industry severely.
  • The Minister acknowledged the issue and cited ongoing discussions with local bodies and scientists about the causes, including algal blooms.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alex Cunningham Lab
Environment
Context

The MP is concerned about sustaining fish stocks and marine life in rivers, inland waterways, and the sea.

Question

What steps he is taking to ensure that rivers, inland waterways and the sea can sustain fish stocks and other marine life?

Answer from Mark Spencer

The UK's rivers and seas boast some of the greatest biodiversity and marine life anywhere in the world. The Government have prioritised protecting species, not least by leaving the common fisheries policy that did so much to damage fish stocks. We have also announced plans to reduce the sewage being discharged in our seas and rivers, and we have recently taken action to protect our precious chalk streams against drought.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific steps or commitments for sustaining fish stocks and marine life directly as asked.

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Q2 Alex Cunningham Lab
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The MP is concerned about an ecological disaster affecting fish stocks off the coast of Teesside and North Yorkshire, with catches down to less than 10% of previous levels. The cause of this disaster remains unclear.

Question

I hope that the Minister is aware of the ecological disaster off the coast of Teesside and North Yorkshire that has had a devastating effect on the fishing industry. Catches are now less than 10% of what they were, and it appears that a large part of our sea is dead or dying. When will Ministers recognise that they cannot rely on the conclusion that an algal bloom was probably the cause of this disaster, order a more comprehensive study into what is happening and come up with solutions to save our sea?

Answer from Mark Spencer

I pay tribute to the Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, who has done a lot to highlight the issue. We do have to listen to science and the scientists who have done investigations, and one of their conclusions was that the algal bloom was a huge factor. We continue to talk to bodies in the north, including the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, which is continuing to carry out tests on material from the north-east coast. It is a challenge that we recognise, and we will continue to work with the authorities in that part of the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not commit to ordering a more comprehensive study or providing specific solutions.

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