Sea Fisheries Act 1968

6 Restriction on fishing within the fishery limits of the British Islands

(1) A foreign fishing boat not registered in a country for the time being designated under the [1964 c. 72.] Fishery Limits Act 1964 shall not enter the fishery limits of the British Islands except for a purpose recognised by international law, or by any convention for the time being in force between Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and the government of the country to which the boat belongs; and any such boat which enters those limits—

(a) shall return putside those limits as soon as the purpose for which it entered them has been fulfilled; and

(b) shall not fish or attempt to fish while within those limits.

(2) A foreign fishing boat registered as aforesaid shall not enter the exclusive fishery limits except for any such purpose as aforesaid and if it enters those limits—

(a) shall return outside them as soon as the purpose for which it entered them has been fulfilled; and

(b) shall not fish or attempt to fish while within those limits.

(3) A foreign fishing boat so registered shall not fish or attempt to fish in the outer belt except in an area and for any description of fish for the time being designated under the [1964 c. 72.] Fishery Limits Act 1964 in relation to the country in which it is registered.

(4) The fishing gear of a foreign fishing boat which is prohibited by this section from fishing in any area within the fishery limits of the British Islands shall, while the boat is in that area, be stowed in accordance with an order made by the Ministers, and if a fishing boat is prohibited by this section from fishing in an area for the time being designated as aforesaid for fish for the time being not so designated, all the fishing gear of the boat except that required by it for fishing for fish for the time being so designated shall, while the boat is in that area, be stowed as aforesaid.

(5) In the event of a contravention of this section in the case of a fishing boat—

(a) the master of the boat shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500; and

(b) the court may on convicting him of an offence under this section order the forfeiture of any fish or fishing gear found in the boat or taken or used by any person from the boat; and

(c) where the contravention takes place in Scotland, any fish or fishing gear forfeited under paragraph (b) above may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of as the court may direct.

(6) The foregoing provisions of this section shall not prohibit or restrict fishing by fishing boats registered in a country outside the United Kingdom in any area with respect to which special provision for fishing by such boats is made by any arrangement between Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and the government of that country.