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

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 15 November (HL3019) regarding the ongoing assessment of the UK's sea-based patrol capability, what assumptions have been made in relation to the total sea area that will need to be patrolled.

The responsibility for patrolling the UK’s Exclusive Economic Area (which is just under 300,000 square miles) is shared between a number of Departments, Agencies and Authorities who have different roles.

In relation to fisheries, it is also a devolved matter. In England, the Marine Management Organisation and the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities have a good understanding of the areas where fishing activity takes place and this is kept under regular review.