Why does the Royal Navy operate Fishery Protection Vessels?
The Royal Navy’s Fishery Protection Squadron (FPS) undertakes fishery protection duties on a repayment basis on behalf of the Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The FPS also plays a policing role within UK waters and is tasked in anti-pollution, Search and Rescue, Customs & Excise, Coastguard and Maritime Counter Terrorism duties. This provides an early opportunity for able young officers to gain command experience. It enables them to undertake a ‘real’ task in a demanding and challenging environment and provides excellent training value. See Patrol Vessels.
