Documentation for non-United Kingdom fishing vessels12
1
A fishing vessel to which this regulation applies must ensure that a copy of the Work in Fishing Convention certificate is carried on board the fishing vessel and made available to fishermen.
2
If a fishing vessel to which this regulation applies proceeds to sea in United Kingdom waters or attempts to proceed to sea or on a voyage in United Kingdom waters without complying with the requirements referred to in paragraph (1), the fishing vessel owner and the skipper are guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction—
a
in England and Wales to a fine; or
b
in Scotland and Northern Ireland to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum,
or on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or a fine, or both.
3
In any proceedings for an offence under this regulation, it is a defence for the person charged to prove that all reasonable steps had been taken by that person to ensure compliance with the requirements in question.
4
In any proceedings for an offence under paragraph (1) where the Work in Fishing Convention is not in force for the State whose flag the fishing vessel is entitled to fly, it is a defence for the person charged to prove that documents containing substantially similar information to the document referred to in that paragraph are carried on board the ship.