asked the Minister for Agriculture if the Government have made an Order or propose making an Order limiting the minimum size of mesh in seine and trawl fishing nets; and, if so, if he will ensure that our fishermen receive adequate notice of such alterations in mesh.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishing Nets.
I have arranged to make an Order at an early date prescribing as from 5th April, 1954, minimum meshes of seine and trawl nets. This Order is being made in fulfilment of our obligations under an international convention which, as regards nets, will operate from the date mentioned. The original date for the introduction of the mesh sizes stipulated in the convention was 5th April, 1953, but a postponement of 12 months was agreed upon by the contracting Governments, so that fishermen would have adequate time to make the necessary changes in their gear. After the postponement had been arranged, a revision of the measurements laid down in the convention was suggested by some of the countries concerned. Such a revision had to be considered by the permanent commission established to supervise the working of the convention, and it was not until a recent date that the procedure necessary for the adoption of these amendments was completed. I regret that it is not now possible to give the fishermen longer notice of the minimum sizes of meshes to be used as from 5th April next.