by UK Fisheries Minister Elliot Morley.

A consultation document, the "UK Small Cetacean Bycatch Response

Strategy", looks at ways to reduce mortality amongst dolphins,

porpoises and other similar marine creatures.

Recommendations include:

- a legal requirement for certain UK fishing vessels in the Celtic

and North Seas to use acoustic deterrents ("pingers") with nets

- an effective observer scheme to monitor cetacean bycatch

- better cetacean population monitoring

- a recognised accreditation scheme for cetacean friendly fisheries

Mr Morley said:

"The bycatch problem poses a major threat to the conservation of

dolphins and other cetaceans. The UK is among European leaders in

developing solutions.

"But the problem cannot be solved in isolation. Co-operation at EU

level is vital if there is to be real progress. That is why I

continue to press the matter with Fisheries Ministers from other

member states and with the European Commission."

Research carried out by Defra, working with fishermen, has shown the

effectiveness of pingers in reducing bycatch in set net fisheries -

by 92% amongst harbour porpoises in one trial .

Part-funding for the purchase of pingers is likely to be available to

fishermen via a UK/EU fisheries grant scheme, FIFG .

Defra are currently trialling a cetacean exclusion device (separator

grid) and pingers in the winter bass fishery sector .

Stakeholders have three months to put views on the plans to DEFRA.

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