HC Deb 20 July 1989 vol 157 cc281-2W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department has taken to notify all vessels not registered as British under the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 to stop fishing on the British quota.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The fishing licenses issued by Fisheries departments make clear that they are valid only if the vessels are registered. Fishing by unregistered vessels is illegal, and where offences are detected prosecution action will be considered in the normal way.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fishing vessels not registered under the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 are still(a) fishing in the British quota, (b) in FPOs and (c) have been notified by his Fisheries Department to stop fishing in the British quota.

Mr. Donald Thompson

Fishing vessels which are not appropriately registered are not legally entitled to fish against United Kingdom quotas. To date we have evidence which points to illegal fishing by 19 unregistered vessels (of which seven are members of producer organisations). The owners involved are being notified of possible prosecution action in the usual way.