§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many fishermen on UK-registered flag of convenience fishing vessels have satisfied the conditions laid down in the Fishing Vessels (Safety Training) Regulations 1989; what steps can be taken to prevent those who do not comply with this regulation from fishing on UK-registered vessels; and if he will make a statement; [748] (2) what steps are being taken to ensure flag of convenience fishing vessels fishing against the UK quota are complying with UK safety regulations; and if he will make a statement. [749]
50W
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI have asked the Chief Executive of the Marine Safety Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Alex Salmond, dated 20 May 1997:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question, transferred from the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, about the safety training of crew working on UK registered fishing vessels and to your Question, transferred from the Secretary of State for Scotland, about fishing vessel compliance with safety regulationsThe onus for complying with the Fishing Vessels (Safety Training) Regulations 1989 rests on the individuals concerned and on the skippers and owners of their vessels. We do not hold data on which crew members meet the requirements and which do not (those crew members born before 1 March 1954 do not need to meet the requirements) but we have asked the Seafish Industry Authority for advice on the information held in their database about fishermen who have undergone safety trainingThe Marine Safety Agency monitors compliance with all fishing vessel safety regulations by means of inspections of the vessels. If such an inspection finds non-compliance the vessel may be detained and the owner and the skipper can be prosecuted. In the particular case of safety training regulations, if any of the crew members do not comply, the owner of the vessel, the skipper and the individuals concerned can be prosecuted.