“HAVENS” FOR TRAWLERS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28679, 1 September 1958, Page 11

“HAVENS” FOR TRAWLERS

Protection By’ Royal Navy

LONDON, August 31. Noon today is the deadline by which all British trawlers in Icelandic waters must be inside one of three “havens” protected by ships of the Royal Navy. It is estimated that about 50 British trawlers are now fishing around Iceland, while another 50 are on the way. All of them intend to defy tomorrow’s extension of Icelandic fishing limits* from four to 12 miles. The protected havens are Britain’s answer to the challenge of Icelandic gunboats. The ships .have been ordered to stay in the havens—each eight miles long and 30 miles wide, extending from the four-mile limit to 12 miles—for at least three days. After that can leave for home.

Reuter’s special correspondent aboard the British trawler Coventry City said there had so far been no sign of any of Iceland’s eight fishery patrol boats or her Catalina aircraft, or any of the Royal Navy’s protection vessels. Denmark and the United States intervened in the dispute yesterday. Denmark called for ,an immediate meeting of the N.A.T.O. foreign minister to consider the situation, and Mr Christian Herter, the acting United States Secretary of State, appealed to both the British and Icelandic Governments to use restraint and moderation. Captain Fined

Captain George Harrison, the 44-year-old skipper of the British trawler Lord Plender, was fined £l6OO yesterday for fishing within Iceland’s 4-mile limit The Maritime Court at Reykjavik also ordered the confiscation of his fishing tackle and catch and the payment of costs expected to total an extra £2400 Captain Harrison has appealed to the Supreme Court. Captain Harrison had admitted being in a bay four miles inside the present limit and said the error was caused by fog and a radar failure.

Defence counsel pleaded that Harrison showed ignorance and not criminal contempt. Harrison’s statement that he had sailed inside the limit partly because of radar breaking down was corroborated by expert examination.