asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the reason for the decline in fish landings from Irish boats which dropped from 18,500 metric tons in 1972 to 14,500 tons in 1974.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fish Landings.
14.
The official figures for the total volume of landings of seafish, including shellfish, for 1972 and 1974 are 86,500 and 84,500 metric tons respectively. Landings for nearly all species of seafish increased in 1974 compared with 1972 but these were more than offset by a fall in herring landings which dropped from nearly 48,000 to 39,000 metric tons.
As the Deputy is aware, the herring fisheries are seasonal and subject to natural vagaries including the weather.
Is it not a matter of grave concern to fishermen around the coast that there has been such a dramatic drop in herring landings? Does this not seem to indicate that the herring breeding grounds are being interfered with seriously by foreign trawlers?
The Deputy is injecting new matter into the question.
In regard to herring fishing grounds we have taken precautions, particularly in the Celtic Sea, in accordance with an agreement with the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission. We have set down a figure for catches each year. For last year the figure was 14,000. Undoubtedly, the drop in landings is a matter of concern, but the question is being given much attention by the Department and by the fishermen who are worried about the stocks position.
Apart from some theoretical agreement, is it not evident that some further action is needed in order to protect the livelihoods of fishermen around the coast? What other measures have been taken by the Government in this regard?
The scientific officers attached to the Department are dealing with this question on an on-going basis.
The problem is not a scientific one. It is a question of piracy.
I would not use that term. All aspects of the herring fisheries are receiving very close attention because we appreciate the value to our fishermen of the herring stocks.
But nothing is being done about them.
We are endeavouring to obtain the highest level of stocks possible. I have had several meetings both with the departmental officers and with the representatives of the fishermen on the question of herring stocks.
I am calling Question No. 15.
Has anything constructive emerged from those meetings?
We cannot remain unduly long on this question.
Are there any figures to indicate where the decreases in landings have occurred or is the fall-off general?
One side of the country was hit worst. In Galway the figure was up by 46 per cent. while at Castletownbere it was down by 30 per cent. The figure for Killybegs was down by 23 per cent while that for Howth was, according to the information here, up by 5,000 per cent, and in one of the major landing areas, Dunmore East, the figure was down by 22 per cent.
Question No.15, please.
Is there any evidence to show that the Russian factory ships——
It is not in order to become involved in a debate at Question Time.