Goodbye Bycatch Campaign Response

Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch regarding the Goodbye Bycatch campaign on dolphins, purpoises and whales.

I completely share the concerns raised in the email and very much do not want these animals suffering as a result of catching the fish that we eat.

There are already regulations on certain vessels to prevent against by-catch of dolphins and porpoise.

Certain vessels must use an acoustic deterrent device, known as a 'pinger', to reduce the level of dolphin and porpoise (cetacean) by-catch.

Certain vessels must fit and use a device that meets the legal technical requirements and can be used by UK fishing vessels if your vessel is 12 metres or over and use bottom set gill or entangling nets in:

• Area IV and the net’s mesh size is 220mm or more – all year
• Area IV and the net is of any mesh size and is 400 metres or less – between 1 August and 31 October
• Area VII d, e, f, g, h and j – all year

You can see full details on the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/reduce-dolphin-and-porpoise-by-catch-comply-with-regulations

I will of course pass on concerns to DEFRA to ensure that they are doing everything they can to prevent these animals from getting unnecessarily trapped.

If you would like to discuss this further or any other matter, then please do not hesitate to contact me.

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk