asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that considerable damage is being done to the fishing beds off the south coast by Spanish trawlers and that these trawlers are now permitted to lie at our fishing ports for unlimited periods; and, if so, whether he will take steps to remedy this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Spanish Trawlers and Fishing Beds.
Complaints reach my Department from time to time that the stocks of fish available to our inshore fishermen are depleted by the operations of Spanish trawlers off our south coast. So long as they do not fish or attempt to fish within our exclusive fishery limits these vessels, as well as all others of foreign nationality, are free to operate off our shores. Any question of the duration of the stay of foreign fishing vessels in our ports is not a matter for me as the fishery authority. I am not aware that foreign fishing vessels stay in our ports for prolonged periods.