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Written question asked by Barry Gardiner (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 December 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 December 2024 (named day). It was answered by Daniel Zeichner (Labour) on Friday, 3 January 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Fishing Catches

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will (a) take steps to review the operation of the landing obligation and (b) publish the number of enforcement actions taken against vessels that have failed to comply with the landing obligation in the last three years.

Answer

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only

a) Defra has been reviewing the operation of the landing obligation as part of wider reforms to discards management in England. In 2025, these reforms will include trialling changes to how we account for catches and the establishment of a discard reduction scheme to encourage more selective fishing practices.

b) In the last 3 years, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has recorded 32 instances of non-compliance with the landing obligation. Following the MMO Compliance and Enforcement Strategy, 23 instances were addressed by verbal advice, 2 were addressed by advisory letters and 3 were addressed by official written warning to master and owner. The remaining 4 are under investigation with decision pending. No instances have resulted in court action during this period.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
17503
Session
2024-26
Related items
Fishing Catches
Friday, 17 January 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Enforcement Fishing catches Quotas
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk