asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the estimated stock of mackerel within our 200-mile limit; and the basis for the estimate.
528.
Written Answers. - Mackerel and Herring Fishing.
527.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he intends to control and reduce the fishing efforts for mackerel within our 200-mile limit before stocks are seriously depleted.
529.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if his Department have any plans to curtail or ban purse seining as a method of fishing for mackerel and herring within our 200-mile limit.
Cavan-Monaghan): With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 527, 528 and 529 together.
Fish statistics are not available in relation to 200-mile zones but rather are based on ICES, International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, zones which are the internationally accepted statistical areas. The Irish 200-mile zone forms only a portion of ICES zones VI and VII in which there is no constantly resident mackerel stock. However, the so-called "western" mackerel stock which is found in ICES zones VI and VII and VIII was, on the basis of data supplied by member states, estimated at 1.7 million tonnes by ICES in 1981.
As regards control measures so as to manage and conserve our important mackerel fishery and ensure an equitable distribution of the catch among the Irish fleet, I have continued for 1981 the mackerel fishing licensing arrangements which set maximum weekly landings per boat. The overall control of all mackerel fishing within the 200-mile limits of member states of the EEC is, of course, a matter for resolution by the EEC through the adoption of total allowable catches which are devised on the basis of scientific advice.
Apart from the ban on the use of purse seines in the Celtic Sea for herring fishing and the limitations on fishing activities within 12 miles from baselines applied as conditions for sea fishing licences in respect of purse-seiners, there are no proposals for further limitations on the use of purse seines for herring and mackerel fishing.