Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to support a position of zero catch of blackspot seabream in line with the scientific advice published by International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.

The International Council for Exploration of the Sea recognises western red seabream (blackspot seabream) as a seriously depleted stock. The UK is committed to making best use of scientific advice towards setting total allowable catches for all stocks, including western red seabream, seeking to rebuild sustainable fisheries in the longer term. The advice for deep sea stocks, which was released on 10 June, will form a central part of the UK position for this stock for the upcoming consultations. As with many stocks, this is a jointly managed stock with the EU and through the Specialised Committee on Fisheries, the UK and EU are developing improved management measures to support the long-term recovery of western red seabream.