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anglerfish the average weight of an anglerfish (monkfish) is around 50 lbs but the heaviest recorded is 73 lbs |
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the wider picture The Agency has maintained and developed close contacts with other authorities in the European Union and Third Countries responsible for fisheries law enforcement in waters adjacent to British fishery limits. These have led to significant and productive developments in enforcement activity during the year. Liaisons with other UK government departments have also been consolidated. more effective legislation Agency staff attended Internal Fisheries Group meetings in Brussels as part of the UK delegation to discuss European Commission proposals for strengthening EU control measures. Following a report in February 1998 to the Council of Fisheries Ministers and the European Parliament on Fisheries Monitoring under the Common Fisheries Policy, the Commission produced a three year action plan to address perceived weaknesses in current control measures and for increasing transparency, co-operation and co-ordination between Member States and seeking better use of resources. Action has been set in motion to provide for: improved monitoring and enforcement after the point of landing 4 hours notice from fishing vessels intending to land in another Member State unless that State operates a designated landing ports scheme closer co-operation among Member States in the enforcement of legislation in respect of specific fisheries a more prominent role for the Commission in monitoring the control authorities of Member States greater clarity and uniformity in enforcement of quotas and technical conservation measures |
These provisions were agreed by Fisheries Ministers at the December 1998 Fisheries Council and will come into effect during the course of 1999-2000. The year ahead will see consultations with the fishing industry on how best to implement the new control measures with minimum disruption to current market practices and Agency staff will continue to attend EC working groups to discuss their implementation.
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Fishery Officer Christopher
Swaile
checks the hold of a white fish trawler at Peterhead |
A haddock being measured
for size
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a state of the art satellite monitoring system
The Agency has represented Scottish interests in Brussels in the development of a fishing vessel satellite monitoring system.
The new system will become fully operational on 1 January 2000.
Much of the past year's work has been focused on setting up a Central Tracking Monitoring System for the UK and working with other Member States in exchanging data on fishing activities of mutual interest.
ongoing liaison
During 1998/99 a number of staff exchanges took place between the Agency and other neighbouring enforcement authorities. SFPA officers visited inspectorates in Holland, Denmark, Norway, The Faeroes and the Republic of Ireland. The exchange of relevant information with these bodies is making a most effective contribution to the achievement of the long term common goal - the conservation of fishing stocks for sustainable fishing.
with other government departments
| In addition to rendering assistance to fishing vessels by way of towage, salvage and first aid, ships of the patrol fleet have operated in support of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for search and rescue operations, local authorities in the exercise of their contingency plans for disaster relief such as fire fighting, and other public service agencies. The Agency's aircraft are also involved in operations with other government departments such as the Department of Transport for pollution control. |
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