Section 4: Licensing of fishing boats
54.Section 4 of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 and legislation made under that section prohibit fishing boats from fishing for sea fish in certain areas within British fishery limits without a licence. This section transfers to the MMO the function of the Secretary of State in relation to the granting of licences. The function transferred includes the administration (granting, variation, revocation, suspension) of licences. This section also ensures that licences previously issued by the Secretary of State are treated as though they were issued by the MMO.
55.Section 4 also provides for the MMO and the Scottish Ministers to make arrangements to exercise functions on each other’s behalf. This is limited to licensing functions under section 4 of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967.