asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether charts are available to indicate the fishing limits in the vicinity of the Isle of Man; if not, why; if he is aware that an Irish fishing boat was arrested recently while fishing off the Isle of Man; that a fine was imposed; and that the catch was confiscated; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishing Limits.
29.
British Admiralty charts, suitable for navigational purposes, are available on sale in Ireland but they do not show exclusive fishery limits.
The areas off the British coast, including the Isle of Man, in the outer six mile zone of the British twelve miles exclusive fishery limits, within which Irish fishing vessels are entitled to fish for certain species of fish are set out in The Fishing Boats (Republic of Ireland) Designation Order, 1965, made by the British fishery authorities. Copies of that order, together with copies of an explanatory note and of outline maps illustrating the sea areas involved, were issued by my Department in September, 1965, to fishermen's representatives at all of our principal ports. Copies are still available in my Department.
As regards the remainder of the question, I have seen newspaper reports of the arrest and conviction, which indicated that the skipper pleaded guilty to illegal fishing. I have no comment to make in the matter.