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| For nearly 200 years Britain's
sea fisheries have been protected and controlled by the authority of parliament.
The Commissioners of the British White Herring Fishery were invested with
powers to regulate sea fisheries in 1808. In 1882 the Fishery Board for
Scotland was set up to manage fisheries surveillance and control in a Scottish
context and in 1939 the Board's functions were transferred to the Secretary
of State for Scotland.
The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency came into being in 1991 as an executive agency within the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department. All aspects of enforcement - policy, operations, ships, aircraft and fishery offices around the coast - and their management, were brought together into a single unified organisation. Its principle role is the enforcement of fisheries legislation and regulations in the seas around Scotland and in Scottish ports with a long term aim of protecting the future of the Scottish fishing industry, a vitally important national asset which employs over 16,000 people in fishing and fish processing and in 1998 generated an income of £327 million from fish sales. The enforcement staff of the Agency, marine officers and land based fishery officers, are appointed by statute as British Sea Fishery Officers. Their job of deterring offences and enforcing the law is in many respects a policing role. By their presence at sea and in port they aim to protect the interests of the law-abiding majority of fishermen from those who are prepared to put at risk the long-term interests of the industry and those of the consumer for short-term gain. British Sea Fishery Officers have full powers to enforce fisheries law at sea and in port. They can board fishing vessels, enter property, inspect papers and gear and may seize any gear, catches, instruments or equipment suspected of illegal use. |
to deter and detect breaches of UK, EU and international fisheries law and regulations at sea and in ports around Scotland through the effective deployment of patrol vessels, surveillance aircraft and the fisheries inspectorate and to present cases of breaches of law for prosecution
to pursue and implement an effective fisheries enforcement strategy
to deter illegal fishing
to detect breaches of fisheries regulations and report them to the prosecuting authorities
to provide intelligence and advice on fishing activity in support of fisheries policy
to provide assistance and advice to the fishing industry on fisheries legislation and other fisheriesmatters
to deliver and manage fishery protection efficiently and effectively
These objectives are achieved through the following core activities:
providing information and gathering intelligence on fishing activity through a high level of sea and aerial surveillance
undertaking regular, thorough inspections of fishing vessels and documentation at sea
ensuring high standards of monitoring and enforcement in ports around the coast
improving the overall efficiency and cost effectiveness of operations in support of fisheries conservation objectives
recruiting and retaining quality, skilled staff and ensuring that they receive training and development related to the business needs of the Agency
developing the use of information technology to support enforcement activities
The Agency has set out a Code of Practice, established in accordance with Citizens Charter principles, which it undertakes to follow in fulfilling its enforcement obligations:
to prevent breaches of fisheries regulations by keeping fishermen informed of the rules and maintaining surveillance of fishing activity
to ensure that the burden on fishermen of complying with regulations is kept to a minimum
to provide prompt and accurate information and advice on fishing matters wherever possible and answer all correspondence within 15 working days of receipt
to exercise enforcement powers fairly and without discrimination and to avoid unreasonable interference with fishing activity
to do everything possible to resolve contentious issues locally and to investigate and respond to written representations
to secure value for money for the taxpayer by delivering high quality enforcement services efficiently and effectively
to ensure that inspecting officers take no action which might compromise the safety of fishing vessels and their crews
to ensure that Agency staff identify themselves by name in any contact and provide a courteous and efficient service at all times
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