AERIAL CHICK ON POACHERS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1930, Page 3

AERIAL CHICK ON POACHERS

R .A.F. NORTH: SEA PATROLS

*. Royal Air Force flying-boats from 'Felixstowe Marine Aircraft Establishnjjilnt have, during the last few months been patrolling British waters in the North Sea. So effective has their work that they have putJ*tflmost it complete stop- to the poaching by Belgian and .French fishing boats within*the three mile, limit. / This work has been carried- out in conjunction with the Fisheries Protec iioii;'Flotilla.

( The vessels of the -Protection Flotilla -'HTKvip .been fitted with wireless apparatus suitable for communication with aircraft. \ This co-operation has resulted in the capture of a number of poaching vessels and subecplhrit prosecution the areas patrolled being chiefly sole fisheries. It has been the custom of poaching vessels to enter British ports and dispose of the fish they have caught in British waters. In one case recently the skipper of one of these vessels sen; a j&iessage to his»-agent at Lowescroft, stilting: “Air raid over us. Will it be safe to resume visits to Lowestoft?” jn -(fact, the deterrent effect of the

aeroplane patrols has been almost complete. and it is proposed now to extend these patrols to the herring fishso successful have these measures been, although carried out by the:'; Royal Air Force «.experimentally tlipt British .fishing .interests are making!'arrangements to carry on the air patrols independently? of the R.A.F.