§ 33. Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fishing vessels have been boarded by personnel of the fisheries protection service so far in the current year; how many vessels were boarded in 1986; of these, how many were foreign vessels; and how many skippers were proceeded against and convicted in English and Welsh courts for illegal fishing as a result of these boardings.
§ Mr. GummerDuring 1986 a total of 1,458 vessels were boarded in the waters of England and Wales by personnel726W of the fisheries protection service, of which 938 were foreign vessels. To date 33 convictions have resulted from these boardings and a further three prosecutions are pending.
So far in 1987 a total of 1,437 vessels have been boarded, of which 920 were foreign vessels. To date 33 convictions have resulted from these boardings and a further 23 prosecutions are pending.