Clause 229
Marine and Coastal Access Bill [Lords]
5:00 pm
Andrew George (St Ives, Liberal Democrat)
I hope that I am not wearing your patience thin, Mr. Gale.
Will the Minister explain the interrelationship between the MMO’s operational area and enforcement officers and the IFCAs? To what extent can different enforcement officers co-operate with each other? Currently, sea fisheries committees have their own enforcement arrangements. Presumably, the purpose behind MCZs is to have internal integrity even when their boundaries extend beyond the six-mile limit. A common sense approach would be for enforcement to be seamless across the six-mile zone. I looked for such an approach in the Bill, but did not find it.
The six-mile limit is a contentious issue, especially for those in the inshore industry. In particular, those who lay static gear in, or around, the six-mile zone, often find that their gear has been towed away by foreign vessels fishing up to, and sometimes—illegally—beyond that zone. Without a very good understanding and working relationship between enforcement officers, the six-mile zone will be less well policed than almost anywhere else. That remains a particularly contentious issue. Many engaged properly and responsibly in the industry believe that the law is being regularly flouted. I look forward to the Minister’s response.