§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what steps are being taken to curb the activities of unlicensed fishing vessels operating for profit in United Kingdom waters; [2890]
(2) what information his Department collates on the number of unlicensed fishing vessels operating for profit in United Kingdom waters. [2889]
§ Mr. BaldryVessels fishing for profit must possess a license issued by the fisheries departments in accordance with the Sea Fishing Licensing Order 1992 (SI 1992 No. 2633) (as amended). Checks are carried out to ensure that vessels hold an appropriate licence as part of the surveillance operations carried out by the Ministry's sea fisheries inspectorate and the Royal Navy. There have been three successful prosecutions since the beginning of 1994.