Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there are any restrictions concerning ships anchoring in Mount's Bay, and what steps are being taken to protect fishermen’s lobster pots from damage by ships’ ground tackle.

There are no restrictions concerning ships anchoring in Mount’s Bay. International freedoms permitting ships to anchor within territorial seas are protected under the UN Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Ships’ Masters are responsible for selecting safe and appropriate anchorage positions for their ships.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is aware of the ongoing sea‑space competition issue between shipping and fisheries in Mount’s Bay. Warnings of unattended fishing pots have been placed on both nautical charts and in Admiralty Pilot books to assist Ships’ Masters with the decision where to anchor.

In October 2015, the MCA facilitated a meeting between affected Mount’s Bay fishermen and the UK’s Safety of Navigation Committee, with a view to addressing the underlying problems here. This work is ongoing.