British Fishery Protection Service

HC Deb 13 December 1994 vol 251 c625W

Mr. Gill

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if British fishery officers are authorised to work outside the United Kingdom.

Mr. Jack

Yes. British sea fishery officers have powers under the Sea Fish Conservation Act 1967, as amended, to enforce fisheries legislation on all vessels within British fishery limits and on UK fishing vessels anywhere outside those limits.

Mr. Gill

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the British fishery protection service is authorised to work outside the limits of the waters under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom.

Mr. Jack

All commissioned officers of the Royal Navy's fishery protection squadron are empowered, as British sea fishery officers, to enforce European Union fisheries legislation on all vessels within British fishery limits and on UK vessels anywhere outside these limits. The Royal Navy's fishery protection squadron may also undertake operations relating to the protection of UK vessels from harassment within or outside British fishery limits.