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

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Benyon on 1 July (HL1216), what is the breakdown by type and ownership of the "15 vessels from the Royal Navy Overseas Patrol Squadron and Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authorities".

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) can call upon the Royal Navy Overseas Patrol Squadron who have three batch 1 Patrol Vessels (HMS Tyne, HMS Severn and HMS Mersey) available for fishery protection duties. In addition, patrol vessels under the Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) provide coverage around England’s coast. The IFCAs operate a range of craft which the MMO can call upon to assist with fulfilling its at-sea duties of: boarding vessels and inspections, intelligence gathering and the issuing of directions to vessels. The vessels range from small Rigid Inflatable type boats suitable for estuarine and close inshore through to more substantial craft more able to work ‘near’ offshore waters. The table details the IFCA vessels currently able to be called upon.