§ Sir Michael ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards fishing in the waters surrounding South Georgia; and if he will make a statement. [21989]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorHer Majesty's Government and the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich islands are determined to protect the South Georgia fishery. The waters around South Georgia fall within the area of the convention for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources. The CCAMLR commission regulates fishing in the area by means of conservation measures. In order to enforce these measures more effectively, because of serious concern about fishing in the area in recent years in violation of the conservation measures, the Commissioner for South Georgia introduced legislation in 1993 establishing a maritime zone around South Georgia. This requires operators of fishing vessels to acquire licences in order to fish and provides for enforcement measures such as arrest of vessels and prosecution for unlicensed fishing. The legislation and the enforcement of it is in full conformity with international law and CCAMLR convention.
I am writing to my hon. Friend in more detail about this issue and will place a copy of my letter in the Libraries of the House.