Fisheries Act 2020 (c. 22)

Access to British fisheries and regulation of foreign fishing boats

12 Access to British fisheries by foreign fishing boats

(1) A foreign fishing boat must not enter British fishery limits except—

(a) for the purpose of fishing in accordance with a sea fishing licence, or

(b) for a purpose recognised by international law or by any international agreement or arrangement to which the United Kingdom is a party.

(2) A foreign fishing boat that enters British fishery limits for a purpose mentioned in subsection (1) must return outside British fishery limits as soon as the purpose has been fulfilled.

(3) Where a fishing boat is used in contravention of subsection (1) or (2), the master, the owner and the charterer (if any) are each guilty of an offence.

(4) For further provision about an offence under subsection (3) (including provision as to penalties), see—

(a) sections 19 to 21, and

(b) section 12 of the Sea Fisheries Act 1968 (recovery of fines) and section 13 of that Act (compensation in Scotland for damage caused by offence).