How many times has The Barrule been out of port in the past 12 months and when?

Summary

The request asked for the number of times and specific dates the vessel 'The Barrule' was out of port in the past 12 months. The authority disclosed the total number of trips but withheld the specific dates under a qualified exemption to prevent prejudice to crime prevention and enforcement tactics.

Key Facts

• The Barrule vessel was out of port 47 times between 06/03/2017 and 05/03/2018.
• The specific dates of these trips were withheld from the public.
• The exemption was applied under section 32(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture determined that withholding the dates outweighed the public interest in disclosure.
• Disclosure of dates was deemed likely to hinder the prevention and detection of illegal fishing activities.

Data Disclosed

• 47
• 06/03/2017
• 05/03/2018
• section 32(1)
• 361199

Exemptions Cited

• Section 32(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Prejudice to prevention or detection of crime, apprehension or prosecution of offenders, administration of justice)

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator Corporate Services Directorate Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no (01624) 685854 Fax no (01624 685851 Email: defa@gov.im www.gov.im

Your ref: ### Our ref: 361199 15th March 2018

Dear ###,

We write further to your request which was received on 6th March 2018 and which states:

"How many times has The Barrule been out of port in the past 12 months and when?"

Our response to your request is as follows: The Barrule vessel has been out of port a total of 47 times from 06/03/2017 to 05/03/2018, as recorded on the Monitoring and Control Surveillance System (MCSS). While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the information relating to when the Barrule vessel has been out of port is exempt under section 32(1) of the act as disclosure of this information would be likely to prejudice:

(a) the prevention or detection of crime; (b) the apprehension or prosecution of offenders; (c) the administration of justice. As section 32 is a qualified exemption, it is subject to a public interest test. The public interest must be something that is of serious concern and benefit to the public at large. Factors in favour of disclosure  Open and transparent use of information.  Better awareness of use of the Barrule vessel.  Provides reassurance to fishing industry.  Provides reassurance to the public.

Factors in favour of withholding  Detailed understanding of usage and tactics may harm future operations.  Raised awareness of Fisheries Directorate’s enforcement tactics.  Hinder the prevention and detection of crime.  Could encourage illegal fishing activities.  Could impact stock sustainability.  Raised awareness of pattern of use.

In taking these factors into account the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture determined that the factors in favour of maintaining the exemption outweigh the factors in favour of disclosing the information.

Please quote the reference number 361199 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post to us at
Freedom of Information Co-ordinator Corporate Services Directorate Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no (01624) 685854 Fax no (01624 685851 Email and website: defa@foi.gov.im www.gov.im An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website. If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im/. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date. Yours sincerely