HC Deb 02 December 1999 vol 340 cc331-2W
Mr. Gill

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy on vessels from the Republic of Ireland fishing in the British sector of area Vila and south west of the Isle of Man. [100728]

Mr. Morley

The rights of vessels from the Republic of Ireland to fish within UK six to twelve mile territorial waters are set out in Annex I of EU Regulation 3760/92.

Mr. Gill

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in respect of vessels from the Republic of Ireland fishing in area VIIa and South West of the Isle of Man, what (i) surveillance and (ii) boardings have been carried out in the last 12 months; what conservation measures must they comply with; to what extent they are obliged to comply with conservation measures introduced by the UK; how many vessels from the Republic of Ireland have licences to fish these waters; and how these licences were acquired. [100729]

Mr. Morley

From January to November 1999, the total number of Republic of Ireland (ROI) vessels sighted in Area Vlla (which includes the water South West of the Isle of Man) was 87. Five boardings were made. These vessels must comply with the relevant EU Technical conservation measures for the area, including, for example, minimum landing sizes. They are not obliged to comply with additional conservation requirements laid down in our domestic legislation. Details of the number of ROI vessels licensed to fish in Area Vlla and the terms on which these licenses were granted are held by the authorities in Dublin.