§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement regarding his conference with representatives of the fishing industry on Thursday, 8th February, with particular reference to any decisions or agreements made upon a fishing ban in those waters about the North Cape and beyond Iceland, the carrying of radio operators upon all voyages and the safety inspection of all trawlers before leaving port.
§ Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu:The meeting I held on Thursday, 8th February, with representatives of all sections of the fishing industry reached agreement as follows:
1. Trawlers should be withdrawn from the area Isafjord to Langanes and forbidden to enter it until a vessel with a control officer on board and carrying meteorological staff and equipment, arrives in the Iceland area by next Wednesday, 14th February. The vessel will maintain a continuous radiotelegraphy watch.
After the arrival of the vessel the control officer, will have discretion to advise vessels against entering or remaining in the area when conditions are dangerous.
Trawler skippers will be instructed by the owners to abide by the advice of the control officer.
In addition all vessels proceeding to Iceland will be instructed forthwith to proceed by the westabout passage so as to avoid the potentially more dangerous area north of Iceland.
The vessel to be despatched will be the British Weather Ship "Weather Reporter" which will be moved from her present position to 6345°N, 33°W, after calling in at Reykjavik to embark the control officer and advisers from the industry. The control officer will be Lt.- Cmdr. J. A. Douglas, R.N. (retired), Deputy Chief Inspector, H.M. Coastguard.
2. Distant water trawlers must report to their control ship at least every twelve hours, and the control ship must report to shore at 273W least every twenty-four hours. If contact is not made then the control ship must report to shore immediately. When a distant water trawler cannot report to a control ship then it must report to shore every twelve hours. When contact is not achieved then action must be taken immediately to instruct other vessels in the area to contact the vessel. If they fail to make contact sea and air search procedure will be put into operation.
3. (a) All distant water trawlers of 140 feet in length and over will carry a certificated wireless telegraphy operator whenever one is available.
(b) In any event all vessels which fish in distant waters will carry a certificated radio telephone operator additional to the Master.
I also put to the meeting a number of further points including the safety inspection of all trawlers before leaving port. There was insufficient time to discuss these points but I am following them up in writing.