Marine and fisheries compliance: boardings of vessels in Scottish waters

Number of vessels from both the UK and third countries boarded in Scottish waters by our Marine Protection Vessels (MPVs) crews.


Marine and fisheries compliance: boardings of vessels in Scottish waters

Marine boardings

Number of vessels from both the UK and third countries boarded in Scottish waters by our Marine Protection Vessels (MPVs).

  • the Marine Directorate has three Marine Protection Vessels (MPVs), and two inshore Rigid Inflatable Boats (IPPs) that regularly undertake boardings of vessels operating in Scottish waters
  • our boardings are undertaken following a rigorous risk based process
  • although fishing activity by non-UK fishing vessels in Scotland’s territorial waters is not permitted, boardings of non-UK vessels may still take place if the vessel has been requested to facilitate a safe boarding, is seeking shelter or transiting through

Coastal inspections

Numbers of vessels boarded by our Coastal officers who are based in our 18 coastal offices located around Scotland’s islands and mainland

  • officers regularly visit fish markets and buyers of fish and inspect landings
  • a vessel may be boarded by coastal staff at any time whilst in port, most inspections are unannounced
  • the level of inspection is determined by risk
  • an article 76 inspection is a full inspection that can include catch on board, landed catch, fishing gear, and all statutory documentation

Reports of Marine boardings of vessels in Scottish waters from 1 June 2021 

Total Boardings of all vessels in Scottish Waters

Nationality

1 July 2021 -
31 December 2021

1 January 2022 -
30 June 2022

1 July 2022 -
31 December 2022

1 January 2023  - 30 June 2023

1 July 2023 -
31 December 2023

1 January 2024 - 30 June 2024

Denmark

23

3

11

10

8

4

France

13

8

7

10

7

5

Faroes

 

 

 

2

0

 

Germany

7

5

2

2

2

3

Ireland

12

4

13

4

12

6

Lithuania

2

 

 

1

0

 

Netherlands

5

2

4

2

6

 

Norway

 

1

9

9

29

12

Spain

3

5

 

6

4

3

Sweden 

8

 

2

 

4

1

Unlicensed/Recreational

 

 

 

 

10

 

United Kingdom

204

150

202

277

279

275

Grand total

277

178

250

323

361

309

 

Boardings of vessels in Scottish waters ex Territorial waters ( 12-200nm)

 

Nationality

1 July 2021 -
31 December 2021

1 January 2022 -
30 June 2022

1 July 2022 -
31 December 2022

1 January 2023  - 30 June 2023

1 July 2023 -
31 December 2023

1 January 2024 - 30 June 2024

Denmark

11

2

11

9

8

4

Faroes

 

 

 

2

0

 

France

11

7

7

10

7

4

Germany

5

5

2

2

2

2

Ireland

11

3

10

4

7

6

Lithuania

2

 

 

1

0

 

Netherlands

5

2

4

2

6

10

Norway

 

1

9

6

22

 

Spain

2

5

 

6

3

3

Sweden 

6

 

2

 

4

1

United Kingdom

49

46

48

78

46

70

Grand total

102

71

93

120

105

100

 

Coastal Inspections of vessels in Scottish waters

 

Nationality

1 July 2021 -
31 December 2021

1 January 2022 -
30 June 2022

1 July 2022 -
31 December 2022

1 January 2023  - 30 June 2023

1 July 2023 -
31 December 2023

1 January 2024 - 30 June 2024

Denmark

1

 

2

2

2

1

Faroe

 

 

1

 

0

 

France

19

39

33

30

19

23

Germany

 

3

 

3

0

2

Ireland

3

 

2

2

3

1

Netherlands

 

 

 

 

 

5

Norway

 

1

4

 

63

8

Spain

11

33

21

39

13

28

Sweden

2

 

1

 

1

 

United Kingdom

371

417

522

508

692

715

Grand Total

407

493

586

584

793

783

 

Coastal Art. 76 Inspections of vessels in Scottish ports

 

Nationality

1 July 2021 -
31 December 2021

1 January 2022 -
30 June 2022

1 July 2022 -
31 December 2022

1 January 2023  - 30 June 2023

1 July 2023 -
31 December 2023

1 January 2024 - 30 June 2024

France

 

12

14

14

15

13

Germany

 

 

 

 

 

2

Norway

 

1

 

 

3

1

Spain

 

20

18

34

10

20

United Kingdom

38

57

105

132

211

229

Grand Total

38

90

137

180

239

265

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