§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many boats from(a) Rochester oyster and floating fishery and (b) Rochester floating fishery are unregistered; [148712]
721W(2) if boats from (a) Rochester oyster and floating fishery and (b) Rochester floating fishery are registered to fish for sole in the Medway. [148711]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 5 February 2001]: The Rochester oyster and floating fishery claims a fishery in the Medway by Acts of Parliament and Royal Charter. However, as stated in the previous answer to my hon. Friend on 25 January 2000, Official Report, column 188W, only the courts are in a position to be able to rule on whether the Medway is truly a public or private fishery. I am not aware that any of the vessels owned by Rochester oyster and floating fishery members are registered or licensed.