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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to ensure the enforcement of UK fishing waters in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Although fisheries control and enforcement is a devolved matter, we are working closely with the Devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure a coordinated approach to fisheries control and enforcement across UK waters.

In England, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has assessed the risk of increased illegal fishing when the UK leaves the EU, including under the scenario of doing so without a deal, and strengthened our resources accordingly. This includes an increase to the number of frontline warranted officers, increased aerial surveillance and further vessels to enhance patrolling capacity at sea. The MMO is working with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on a common approach to control and enforcement where appropriate.