§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many vessels from each EU country have been(a) monitored and (b) boarded by his Department's Fisheries Inspectorate in British territorial waters in the last two years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MorleyThe UK has exclusive fishing rights within the UK 0–6 mile limits and there is only limited access for other Community fishing vessels within our 12 mile limits. It follows that the majority of enforcement activity within the territorial waters adjacent to England and Wales involves UK fishing vessels.
Details of sightings and boardings of fishing vessels in British Fishery Limits adjacent to England and Wales are held by the Ministry. However, this information is not recorded in a way which would enable detailed information to be provided in respect of the territorial waters adjacent to England and Wales without incurring disproportionate cost.