Maritime Coastguard Agency: Safety Breaches

Mr Alistair Carmichael, the Member of Parliament for Orkney and Shetland, asked the Government what discussions the Secretary of State has had with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) regarding maritime safety breaches that occur outside UK territorial waters but within the exclusive economic zone. In response, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Kane, stated that the Secretary of State has met with the chief executive of the MCA, and this matter was discussed. He added that the MCA will continue to monitor this important issue and follow up on the actions already taken since the Westminster Hall debate on maritime safety last April. Mr Carmichael then expressed his view that if the issue is approached solely from a legal perspective, nothing will change in a reasonable timeframe. He urged the Minister to focus on practical solutions to end the attacks that trawlers from Shetland, such as the Alison Kay and Defiant, have been subject to in recent years. Mr Carmichael suggested that the Minister look at the experience of authorities in Ireland, who have managed to tackle the reckless conduct of trawlers like the Pesorsa Dos and keep their fishermen safe. In response, the Minister acknowledged Mr Carmichael's suggestion and stated that he will undertake to look at the authorities in Ireland. He also mentioned that he had a recent visit to the Orkney Islands in Mr Carmichael's constituency and would like to catch up with him to discuss this matter further, expressing his willingness to meet with the MP to discuss the issue in more detail.