asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the nations which are at present fishing the six to 12-mile belt of this country's exclusive fishing limits; and the conditions governing their right to fish there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishing Limits.
4.
The fishing vessels of Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Netherlands and Spain are permitted under statutory order to fish for specified species of fish in certain defined areas in the six to 12-mile belt of the exclusive fishery limits of the State. These orders were made pursuant to the London Fisheries Convention, 1964 in which it was agreed that contracting parties might extend their exclusive fisheries to 12 miles subject inter alia to rights in the six to 12-mile belt in favour of those who had traditionally fished those areas. In addition, under the terms of this country's accession to the European Economic Community fishing boats registered in member States may fish in the six to 12-mile belt of the exclusive fishery limits of the State for (i) all species of fish in the area between Cork Harbour and Carnsore Point, County Wexford and (ii) all species except shellfish in the area between Carnsore Point and Carlingford Lough, County Louth.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say when this treaty comes up for renewal giving permission to the States he mentioned to fish in this particular area?
I have not got it here. I will show the agreement afterwards to the Deputy if he wants to see it if, indeed, it contains information about renewal.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and the London Agreement.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that, because of the fact that our own fleet are now expanding and find it necessary to fish in this area, they are finding the competition from these boats very severe, and they find it hard to bring in catches which would be valuable to them? Would he please find out when this comes up for renewal, because it is necessary for us to get these nations to move out of that belt?
I will get that information for Deputy Gallagher as quickly as I can. It is only right to say that the rule made in regard to this country concerning permitting fishing to the nationals of States who traditionally fished these waters is not unique. It is a perfectly general convention in regard to all the states who are parties to this agreement.
Are the Government aware of the new fishing field which has recently been discovered off the west coast which has yielded very heavy catches of blue whiting and the desirability of establishing the right of Irish fishermen to exploit this new field as much as possible?
That is a separate question but, so far as I know, there is nothing stopping them from exploiting it.