ILLEGAL FISHING

Early day motion 945, tabled 3 November 2005 by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour). Signed by 41 members.

That this House condemns the illegal fishing fleets that are plundering the seas by taking advantage of rules allowing them to adopt flags of convenience; notes that this news comes from a report by the UN International Transport Workers' Federation and WWF which estimates the annual level of illegal fishing to represent a value of £680 million which is also threatening fisheries; further notes that flags of convenience can be bought for just a hundred dollars without the country of origin enforcing international law and taking responsibility for the vessel's activities with most such flags coming from landlocked countries; expresses grave concern that these vessels are predominantly from EU countries with Spain, who receives the most generous EU fishing subsidies, topping the list; and calls on the Government to work through the UN to abolish flags of convenience and stop illegal fishing.

Signatures by party: Labour 26, Conservative 6, DUP 4, Liberal Democrat 2, Scottish National Party 2, Plaid Cymru 1.