Review of marine fisheries and environmental enforcement arrangements in England and Wales

Ben Bradshaw, Minister for Fisheries in the UK, announced a Review of Marine Fisheries and Environmental Enforcement on 24 September 2003.

The initial fact-finding stage of the review began on 8th October 2003 and consisted of three parallel questionnaires being sent to enforcement authorities, fishing industry interests and other interested parties.

The collation of completed questionnaires will be followed by the development of options for the most effective enforcement to deliver conservation requirements and to meet the long-term needs of the fishing industry.

The Terms of the Review are as follows:

1. To examine the marine enforcement and other tasks currently undertaken in England and Wales by the Sea Fisheries Inspectorate, Sea Fisheries Committees and other agencies; and, in the light of anticipated fisheries and environmental requirements, to make recommendations on the future organisation and structure of such activities including any appropriate legal and funding changes.

2. The review will take account of recommendations in:

• the NAO Report on Fisheries Enforcement in England and (when available) the response of the PAC to that report

• the report of the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit (due later this year)

Further information, including a request for responses, is set out in news release 394/03, issued 24 September 2003