Battle to close loophole that lets Russians fish in British waters

FISHING bosses have demanded that a loophole is closed that allows Russian vessels to fish in UK waters despite sanctions.

- Steph Spyro

The issue arises from a shared area agreement signed in 1999 between the Faroe Islands – 200 miles north of Scotland – and the UK.

The Faroe Islands government last month banned Russian vessels from entering its ports. But the ruling does not apply to fishing boats.

Barrie Deas, chief executive of The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, said: “It’s very regrettable that the Faroese have permitted Russian vessels to fish in that area against the background of Ukraine.

“We would support what our Government has said, and others in the industry, that this is something that should be curbed.”