Foreign fishing vessels must respect British Conservation Zones, George urges Minister

The MP for the West Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Constituency of St Ives, Andrew George, received the support of Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon in the Commons today, who stated that he anticipated that foreign governments – and therefore their vessels – would respect British Marine Conservation Zones where they cover areas beyond Britain’s 6-12 mile territorial zone.

Mr George has been pressing the Government on the issue for four years since he and Mr Benyon helped create the legislation which is introducing Marine Conservation Zones.

Mr George said, “This is important. Clearly British fishermen cannot be constrained from certain activities in areas where foreign vessels are free to do they please.”