Section 12 — Access to British fisheries by foreign fishing boats
This version in force from 2020-12-31
Snapshot: 2026-08-24
Reproduced from legislation.gov.uk (Crown Copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0). Amendments made after 2026-08-24 may not be reflected — always check the official text .
(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).