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Distant water fishing opportunities
15/06/1998
Proposals to make it easier for UK vessels to take advantage of new fishing opportunities in distant waters are issued for consultation today by UK Fisheries Departments.
The proposed changes would replace a general moratorium on the issue of new external water licences (EWLs) which has applied since 1992. The new arrangements would be based on the following general principles:
- new EWLs should be made available, where appropriate, to enable UK vessels to take advantage of new fishing opportunities in external waters;
- new EWLs should only be issued to vessels already holding a UK licence;
- no new access should be given to external water fisheries which are fully subscribed;
- uptake of UK fishing opportunities in external waters should be optimised;
- UK vessels should fish responsibly and in accordance with international fisheries conventions and agreements.
BACKGROUND
1. Copies of the consultation letter can be obtained from Mr G Taylor, MAFF, Room 423B, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR (Tel: 0171 238 6529; Fax: 0171 238 5721). The consultation letter is also available on the MAFFWEB site at http://www.maff.gov.uk/fish/fixedwat.htm
2. Responses to the consultation letter should be sent to the above address, to arrive by August 17, 1998.
News Release: 1231/98
15 June, 1998