New fishing quota enforcement measures announced
The Fisheries Minister has announced a new set of measures designed to ensure compliance with fishing quotas.
The measures announced include electronic tagging of vessels suspected of illegal fishing activities.
Ben Bradshaw said this morning that the new steps “will produce benefits for both the environment and the industry”.
Another measure is reducing the minimum size of a whitefish boats (from 20 to 15 feet) that are required to register what time and in what port they are due to dock.
However, Mr Bradshaw said they have “listened carefully” to the fishing industry and the new landing regulations will not apply to vessels with only a small quota.
He claimed that: “This will ensure that controls are targeted on vessels where the enforcement risk is greatest and avoid placing unnecessary burdens on small vessels.”
The Minister also promised to consult fully with the industry on the suggestions that the current system of criminal penalties for fishing offences is replaced by a system of “administrative penalties”, such as fixed and transparent fines or imposing more frequent inspections.
The new measures will also apply in Scotland where the majority of the UK’s fishing fleet is based. Its Fisheries Minister, Ross Finnie, said the measures would help to “protect the long term viability of Scotland’s fishing industry and the communities it supports.”
He continued: “Robust control and enforcement is essential to help ensure the environmental and economic sustainability of our fisheries.”
