Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many offshore patrol vessels the UK has at its disposal to monitor fish stocks, and if she will make a statement.

The Royal Navy provides up to three vessels for the purposes of fisheries control, including the enforcement of EU fishing quotas in the offshore waters of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Fisheries control in the waters off Scotland is the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

Cefas has one vessel which undertakes scientific research in offshore waters, including the monitoring of fish stocks.

Work is also being conducted to scope the utility of using other vessels, such as those owned and operated by Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities, for offshore monitoring.

Operating outside the Common Fisheries Policy will give us the opportunity to establish a new fisheries regime that better meets the UK’s needs. We are reviewing all aspects of fisheries management, including the future requirements for patrol vessels, and will work with stakeholders, Devolved Administrations and other Government Departments to agree the most effective way to achieve this.