HC Deb 28 February 2002 vol 380 cc1507-9W
Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many successful prosecutions were brought against fishing vessels during the last five years for(a) catching of undersized fish, (b) landing of undersized fish, (c) using illegal nets and trawls, (d) irregularities in log book, (e) having a catch in excess of quote and (f) other reasons. [37945]

Mr. Morley

Information on the total number of successful prosecutions involving fishing vessels during the period 1997 to 2001 for the following types of offences is set out in the table below.

Type of offence Number of successful prosecutions
Retaining on board or landing undersized fish 26
Use/carriage of illegal nets 44
Logbook offences 77
Retaining on board or landing over quota species 57
Other 110

For the purpose of the table prosecutions involving both the owner and master have been treated as a single case. Some cases may involve more than one offence under one or more of the above headings.

Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) on how many occasions successful prosecutions have been brought against fishing vessels in the past five years for which records are available; and how many were (a) UK-registered, British-crewed vessels, (b) UK-registered flag of convenience vessels and (c) non-UK registered vessels; [37944]

(2) on how many occasions enforcement action has been taken against fishing vessels by her Department in the last five years for which records are available. [37987]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 27 February 2002]: The number of successful prosecutions in respect of UK and non UK registered vessels by this Department during the period 1997 to 2001 were:

  • 239 UK registered vessels
  • 75 non-UK registered vessels

The totals above include vessels which have been prosecuted on more than one occasion. Our prosecution records do not distinguish whether UK registered vessels were crewed by UK or foreign nationals.

Forward to