Fishing Limit (Isle of Man) (Hansard, 27 November 1989)

§ Dr. Cunningham
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions have taken place between his Department and the European Commission about the implications for European Community fisheries policy of a 12-mile fishing limit around the Isle of Man; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Curry
None. Common fisheries policy provisions already apply to the area which would be covered by an extended 12-mile limit and will continue to do so given our obligations under community treaties.

§ Dr. Cunningham
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions have taken place between his Department and representatives of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations about a proposed 12-mile fishing limit around the Isle of Man.

§ Mr. Curry
None. The NFFO is, however, aware that given the provision in the Territorial Sea Act 1987 for a 12-mile territorial sea for the Isle of Man, Fisheries and other Departments are considering how this should be put into effect. The NFFO has been assured that any arrangement made would clearly have to safeguard the interests of all fishermen, and our Community obligations.

§ Dr. Cunningham
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions have taken place132W between his Ministry and the Isle of Man authorities about a proposed 12-mile fishing limit around the Isle of Man; and what is the position of the Government.

§ Mr. Curry
Fisheries Departments have discussed with the Home Office and the Isle of Man authorities how the provision for a 12-mile territorial sea round the Isle of Man contained in the Territorial Sea Act 1987 might be implemented in relation to fishing. We are clear that it is necessary to safeguard the rights of all fishermen and our Community obligations.

§ Dr. David Clark
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the meetings he has had with the Isle if Man authorities over their proposals to impose a 12-mile exclusion zone for fishing.

§ Mr. Gummer
There are no proposals for a 12-mile exclusion zone for fishing. What is being explored are arrangements for implementing the provision in the 1987 Territorial Sea Act for a 12-mile territorial sea for the Isle of Man. For fishing, these would have to safeguard the interests and traditional rights of all fishermen within 12 miles of the Isle of Man.

§ Dr. David Clark
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with fishermen's repesentatives over the proposals by the Isle of Man to impose a 12-mile exclusion zone for fishing.

§ Mr. Gummer
None. There are no proposals for a 12-mile exclusion zone for fishing.

§ Dr. David Clark
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the proposals of the Isle of Man authorities to impose a 12-mile exclusion zone for United Kingdom fishermen; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Gummer
The Isle of Man have made no proposals for a 12-mile exclusion zone for fishing. Nor would the Government entertain any proposals which did not accommodate the traditional rights of all fishermen.