Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of enforcement against illegal fishing in Marine Protected Areas around the UK Overseas Territories; and what action is taken when UK Overseas Territories report illegal fishing in Marine Protected Areas.

Through the Overseas Territories Blue Belt programme, an assessment of potential illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing has been undertaken across the declared Marine Protected Areas. These assessments have involved a review of historical fishing activities, together with targeted real-time satellite surveillance. The support the UK is providing through the Blue Belt programme includes advice to the Overseas Territories to strengthen their legislation, where necessary, to ensure appropriate penalties are in place for any illegal fishing activities. The UK has contacted a number of Flag States and highlighted potential incursions to relevant regional Fisheries Management Organisations to ensure greater awareness of the Marine Protected Areas.