§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what level of co-operation exists between the UK, other member states and third countries on fisheries control and enforcement. [143246]
§ Mr. MorleyThere is extensive co-operation between enforcement authorities in the UK and those of other member states and third countries. Such co-operation is important to ensure the effective application of measures designed to conserve fish stocks. Examples of co-operation involving enforcement authorities in the UK over the last 12 months include
exchanging and sharing intelligence on enforcement activity;bilateral meetings with Irish and Norwegian authorities;joint enforcement operations with the Netherlands in the North Sea;participation of inspectors from other member states and Norway in UK enforcement training courses;participation in the International Conference on Monitoring, Control and Surveillance organised by the European Commission in Brussels;enforcement operations in waters covered by the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission;the development of an operational protocol on satellite monitoring with France, Spain, Belgium and Ireland. Similar operational protocols are also being developed with other member states and Norway.