HC Deb 09 December 1985 vol 88 cc481-3W
Mr. Randall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the common fisheries policy control system is currently working fully in the interests of the British fishing fleet, and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Jackson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps the Government will take to preserve United Kingdom fishing quotas for the British fishing industry.

Mr. Jopling

Article 4 of the basic Community regulation on the common fisheries policy (Regulation 170/83) provides for quotas of stocks subject to catch limits to be distributed between the member states in a manner which assures each member state relative stability of fishing activities of each of the stocks considered. Article 5(2) puts the responsibility on the member states to determine, in accordance with the applicable Community provisions, the detailed rules for the utilisation of the quotas allocated to them. The objectives of the CFP, and in particular the principle of relative stability of fishing activities, are clearly threatened if fishing vessels from other countries are able to attach themselves artificially to a member state in order to fish against its quotas.

In the light of our experience since the introduction of the system of national quotas in January 1983 and following discussions with the main industry organisations, Fisheries Ministers have concluded that further action is now needed, under article 5(2) of the basic regulation.

Access for British fishing vessels of 10 m or over to stocks under quota is already subject to licensing by the Fisheries Ministers. We have now decided to introduce as from next year new licence conditions aimed at ensuring that licensed vessels have a real economic link with this country. From 1 January 1986 vessels wishing to fish against United Kingdom quotas will have to be registered as British fishing boats under part IV of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 and to meet the following three conditions:

  1. (i) the vessel must normally operate from the United Kingdom, Channel Islands or Isle of Man: evidence of regular landings in or of regular visits to British ports will be expected;
  2. (ii) at least 75 per cent. of the crew must be British citizens or EC nationals ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands or Isle of Man: but for the duration of the relevant transitional arrangements on free movement of workers, Greek, Spanish and Portuguese nationals will not, with limited exceptions, be eligible to be counted towards this percentage;
  3. (iii) the skipper and all the crew must contribute to United Kingdom national insurance, or equivalent Isle of Man and Channel Islands schemes.

Owners may be required to make the vessels and relevant documentation available for inspection at a United Kingdom, Isle of Man or Channel Islands port to ensure that these licence conditions are being met.

Fisheries Ministers have also decided that from today western hake should be designated as a "pressure stock" and that only those fishermen who are currently entitled to fish for western hake will be eligible to fish the stock in future. This will not, however, carry with it an automatic entitlement to fish for other "pressure stocks" under the present restrictive licensing arrangements.

As a further measure the arrangements, announced on 3 February 1984, under which prospective vessel owners who at that date had entered into an enforceable contract were entitled to a "pressure stock" licence will be terminated from 31 December 1985.

In order to give effect to these new licensing arrangements and to the restrictions on beam trawling in ICES sub areas VII and VIII, announced on 25 July 1985, arrangements will be made for all existing licences to be replaced.

The detailed arrangements are being notified to the industry within the next few clays.