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Written question asked by Matthew Offord (Conservative) on Wednesday, 1 June 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 June 2022. It was answered by Baroness Prentis of Banbury (Conservative) on Monday, 13 June 2022 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.


Fishing Gear: Seabed

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to bring forward legislative proposals to prevent the siting of seabed fishing equipment in any location within 300 metres of a navigational mark.

Answer

Fisheries management in the UK is devolved. Defra has no plans to bring forward legislation on locating fishing equipment near navigational marks.

In England, passive gear, such as creels, used out to 12 nautical miles must be marked with labels, or if used between 12 and 200 nautical miles they should have a marker buoy. However, existing guidance available online also recommends that passive gear is marked with buoys from 0-12 nautical miles in English waters. There may also be specific rules regarding the marking of passive gear within 0-6 nautical miles managed at a local level by the relevant Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
11655
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Fishing gear Seabed Navigational aids
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk