HC Deb 20 March 1979 vol 964 cc543-4W
38. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the existing fishery protection measures; and if he will make a statement on the work of the fishery protection squadron in 1978.

Mr. Bishop

I am satisfied that our fishery protection measures continue to be effective. During 1978, in addition to the checks made on fishing vessels in port, United Kingdom fishery protection vessels carried out almost 1,800 boardings of fishing vessels at sea. Forty one skippers were subsequently convicted of offences against United Kingdom fishery regulations.

39. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the number of identifications, boardings, arrests and subsequent court findings of possible illegal fishing within the British 200-mile exclusive economic zone in the past three years; and if he is satisfied that the right degree of co ordination now exists.

Mr. Bishop

United Kingdom fishery limits were not extended to 200 miles until 1 January 1977. In both 1977 and 1978 United Kingdom fishery protection forces made approximately 30,000 sightings of fishing vessels within those limits.

The following table shows for each year the number of boardings, of vessels brought in for further investigation and of subsequent convictions for offences against United Kingdom fisheries regulations:

1977 1978
Boardings 1,851 1,787
Vessels brought in for further investigation 46 26
Of which convicted of offences against United Kingdom fisheries regulations 43 22

In 1977 skippers of a further 30 vessels and in 1978 skippers of a further 19 vessels were convicted of offences against United Kingdom fisheries regulations following boardings at sea, but without the vessels concerned being brought in for further investigation.

I am satisfied that there is effective co-ordination between the fisheries department and the fisheries protection forces.