§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many fishery protection patrols by aircraft have been carried out in each of the last five years, how many aircraft were used, how many infringements of fishery rules were identified, how many convictions resulted from such identifications, how many non-fishery infringements were identified, and how many convictions resulted.
The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Be1stead)Precise figures are not available on the number of patrols undertaken by fisheries protection aircraft but it is estimated that the five RAF Nimrod aircraft flew some 1,000 patrols annually with a further 700 patrols by the two civilian aircraft.
Airborne fisheries protection arrangements were reviewed in 1985 and my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced on 14th November that the use of Nimrods was to be gradually phased out in favour of lighter civilian aircraft. It is expected that the new squadron, when fully up to strength, will fly 1,650 patrols annually. This level of activity will meet our current needs for fisheries protection.
Surveillance aircraft act together with Royal Navy's Fishery Protection Squadron, the Scottish Fisheries Department's fisheries protection fleet and the shore based Sea Fisheries Inspectorate. It is thus not possible to quantify the number of convictions due to only one part of the fisheries protection team.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the current arrangements for aircraft flying fishery protection patrols, and what other duties are performed by those aircraft at the same time.
§ Lord BelsteadAir surveillance of fishing activity in UK waters is carried out by four full-time civilian aircraft at present, although this will increase to five in July. The crews of fisheries protection aircraft are also expected to report on any infringements they might observe, including those not directly related to fisheries.