State
of fish stock conservation
199. Our inquiry revealed a dramatic divergence of
views amongst witnesses about the extent of the conservation problem.
At one end of the scale, environmental organisations, such as
Greenpeace, claimed there was a "huge threat" posed
to the stock levels of several fish species.[269]
The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's recommendation
that an extensive network of marine protected areas, closed to
commercial fishing, should be established reinforced such claims.[270]
However, at the other end of the scale, we heard industry representatives,
such as Fishermen's Association Ltd, assert "there is no
fish stock crisis".[271]
There was also considerable uncertainty about the causes of biological
pressure on fish stocks—whether it was due to over-fishing,
the effects of climate change, changes through rain precipitation,
and so on. These uncertainties need to be clarified as soon as
possible in order for sensible informed decisions to be made in
the future.
200. We were concerned
to find such a divergence of views amongst—and lack of agreement
between—witnesses on the extent of, and the basic causes
of, the current state of fish stock conservation. At present,
divisions of opinion exist between and amongst scientists, industry
representatives and environmentalists on the reasons for the decline
in some fish stocks. As a basis for action, it would be helpful
to establish the relative impact of over-fishing, climate change,
environmental pollution and migration of fish stocks. We therefore
urge the Government to commission research to provide more detailed
information on the current conservation problem, and on its basic
causes, so that a firmer base exists on which to make decisions
in the future.
269 
