Fisheries Act 1981

27 Enforcement of provisions as to trans-shipment

(1) For the purpose of enforcing the provisions of an order under section 4A or 6(1A) of the [1967 c. 84.] Sea Fish Conservation Act 1967 or the conditions of any licence granted under section 4A of that Act, a British sea-fishery officer may exercise in relation to any vessel (whether British or foreign) within British fishery limits the powers conferred by the following provisions of this section.

(2) He may go on board the vessel, with or without persons assigned to assist him in his duties, and for that purpose may require the vessel to stop and do anything else which will facilitate the boarding of the vessel.

(3) He may require the attendance of the master and other persons on board the vessel and may make any examination and inquiry which appears to him to be necessary for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1) above.

(4) Where it appears to him that a contravention of the order or a breach of a condition of the licence has at any time taken place he may—

(a) require the master of the vessel in relation to which the contravention took place to take, or may himself take, the vessel and its crew to the port which appears to him to be the nearest convenient port, and

(b) detain or require the master to detain the vessel in the port;

and if he detains or requires the detention of the vessel he shall serve on the master a notice in writing stating that the vessel will be or is required to be detained until the notice is withdrawn by the service on the master of a further notice in writing signed by a British sea-fishery officer.