Conferences

MARINE FISHERIES AGENCY News Release (03/07) issued by The Government News Network on 21 March 2007 -- Four Fishery Protection ships from three European member states arrived in Chatham today (March 21st) after joint operations at sea which began on Monday March 19th.

For the joint operations Royal Navy Fishery Protection vessel HMS Tyne was joined by Protection Vessel Barend Biesheubel from Holland. They were in the North Sea and the eastern English Channel.

Royal Navy Fishery Protection vessel HMS Severn was partnered by French protection vessel P.A.M Themis for a joint operation in the eastern English Channel.

The ships were coordinated by the Marine Fisheries Agency Operations London HQ which uses satellite tracking to monitor the position of European fishing boats every two hours.

The Fishery Protection Vessels swapped fisheries officers and observers. However, hampered by bad weather, only one boarding was carried out to check logbook, catches and fishing gear.

Berthing at Chatham will be followed by a conference organised by the UK's Marine Fisheries Agency in conjunction with the Community Fisheries Control Agency, attended by the European Commission and 50 delegates from nine member states.

Marine Fisheries Agency operations director David Holliday said: