HC Deb 04 April 1967 vol 744 cc23-4W
Mr. James Johnson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Fisheries Policing Conference.

Mr. Hoy

The Fisheries Policing Conference which met in London on three occasions between March, 1966, and March, 1967, concluded its work on 17th March. At its final session the conference, on which all countries participating in the North Atlantic fisheries were represented, adoptedad referendum the text of a Convention on the Conduct of Fishing Operations in the North Atlantic, which is designed to increase safety at sea, particularly on the international fishing grounds, and to reduce the risk of damage to fishing gear. The meetings were convened and chaired by Her Majesty's Government following a resolution of the European Fisheries Conference of 1964 which was initiated by the United Kingdom Government.

The Convention provides for a code of special light and sound signals for vessels engaged in fishing operations, rules for the marking of fixed gear, and rules governing the operations of fishing vessels so as to prevent interference with other vessels and their gear. Coastal states may make special rules and exemptions, on a non-discriminatory basis, for vessels or gear which by reason of their size or type operate or are set only in coastal waters.

Outside national fishery limits there would be a system of international enforcement. Authorised officers would be empowered to investigate infringements of the regulations, or cases of damage to gear by vessels of any of the Contracting Parties. The flag states of the vessels concerned would be responsible for taking consequential action arising out of such investigations, which would be reported to them.

The Convention also contains provisions for settlement by conciliation of disputes concerning damage to gear between the vessels of different states.

I am arranging for copies of the Final Act of the Conference to he placed in the Library of the House. This contains the text of the Convention and was signed by the following countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, U.S.S.R., U.S.A. and the United Kingdom.

The Convention itself will be open for signature in London from 1st June to 30th November, 1967, and will be subject to ratification or approval by Governments.

In the view of Her Majesty's Government this is a very valuable achievement in international fisheries co-operation.