0105 - FOI
Copies of correspondence from industry that some terminals were not meeting the specified criteria
Abstract:
Tom McCormack, CEO of
the MMO, told Fishing News:
“Late last year, the MMO started to receive feedback from industry that some terminals were not meeting the specified criteria.”
This correspondence has also been referred to in MMO correspondence with MPs recently.
Tier 1
Filing Date: 30th June 2023
Reply Date: 28th July 2023
MMO Ref: ATI3082
Tier 1 Response:
REFUSED
Dear Sir,
I am making a formal request for a copy of correspondence received by MMO in late 2022 from the fishing industry or other external parties, and the MMOs replies to all correspondence.
In particular, this relates to the correspondence referred to by Mr McCormack in his comments to the Fishing News in the 25th May 2023 edition about I-VMS.
I have attached a copy of the paper for your information.
The correspondence is referred to in the first paragraph of the article “ MMO CEO seeks to reassure industry” on page 3.
An extract is:
Tom McCormack, CEO of
the MMO, told Fishing News:
“Late last year, the MMO started to receive feedback from industry that some terminals were not meeting the specified criteria.”
This correspondence has also been referred to in MMO correspondence with MPs recently.
The received reply is to include the terminal models they are referring to.
28 July 2023
Dear Mr Glover,
Thank you for your request for information about a copy of correspondence received by MMO in late 2022 from the fishing industry or other external parties, and the MMOs replies to all correspondence, which we received on 30 June 2023. We are dealing with your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).
Following careful consideration, I can inform you that we have decided not to disclose this information. We can confirm that of the information held by the Marine Management Organisation, it is being withheld from disclosure in accordance with section 43(2) of the Act. Section 43 – Commercial interests. Section 43(2) exempts information whose disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any legal person (an individual, a company, the public authority itself or any other legal entity).
In applying this exemption we have had to balance the public interest in withholding the information against the public interest in disclosure.
We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosure of a copy of correspondence received by MMO in late 2022 from the fishing industry or other external parties, and the MMOs replies to all correspondence. On the other hand, there is also a strong and countervailing public interest in withholding the information because the information contains discussion of a number of commercial interests and may incur damages to one or more i-VMS device suppliers.
Therefore we have concluded that in all the circumstances of the case, the information should be withheld. In keeping with the spirit and effect of the FOIA, all information is assumed to be releasable to the public unless exempt.
If you require any further advice or assistance, please contact me in the first instance.
Additionally, if you are unhappy with the way the MMO has handled your request for information, you can request an internal review by writing to Internal Reviews at the MMO, Lancaster House, Hampshire Court, Newcastle Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7YH or e-mail accesstoinformation@marinemanagement.org.uk.
If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request or complaint, you have a right to appeal at the ICO, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF. Tel 0303 123 1113 or http://www.ico.org.uk/complaints. There is no charge for the internal review or making and appeal to the ICO.
Yours sincerely
Laurie Rodwell
Service Exception Lead
