Access to British fisheries and regulation of foreign fishing boats

12Access to British fisheries by foreign fishing boats

1

A foreign fishing boat must not enter British fishery limits except—

a

for the purpose of fishing in accordance with a sea fishing licence, or

b

for a purpose recognised by international law or by any international agreement or arrangement to which the United Kingdom is a party.

2

A foreign fishing boat that enters British fishery limits for a purpose mentioned in subsection (1) must return outside British fishery limits as soon as the purpose has been fulfilled.

3

Where a fishing boat is used in contravention of subsection (1) or (2), the master, the owner and the charterer (if any) are each guilty of an offence.

4

For further provision about an offence under subsection (3) (including provision as to penalties), see—

a

sections 19 to 21, and

b

section 12 of the Sea Fisheries Act 1968 (recovery of fines) and section 13 of that Act (compensation in Scotland for damage caused by offence).