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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what international swaps were conducted by the Marine Management Organisation on behalf of the UK for (a) rays and skate and (b) plaice; and what reasons were given for the level and type of each swap.

During 2014, the Marine Management Organisation approved 26 international swaps of ray quota. A total of 326.5 tonnes of rays were swapped out for other species, and 75.6 tonnes of ray quota were gained through international swaps.

Some 220 tonnes of plaice were swapped out during 2014, across a total of eight transactions.

These international quota swaps were discussed with the fishing industry and approved in order to acquire stocks that UK fishermen wish to catch.

Each proposed swap is considered on its merits.