A scheme to stop the illegal importation of fish and the diseases which come with them was being launched in Weymouth today.

Fisheries Minister Elliott Morley was at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science in Barrack Road to kick-start the campaign which will see the bodies responsible for enforcing environmental law pool their information and expertise.

They will all be able to view each other's records in a shared database based at the Weymouth site, accessible from their offices across England and Wales.

Inspector Stephen Maiden from CEFAS, which limits illegal imports said: "The introduction of the new database is the most encouraging development there has been for many years, drawing together the various agencies involved with protecting the health status of our indigenous fish stocks."