asked the Minister for the Marine the provision, if any, being made this year to protect our salmon stocks especially outside the 12 mile limit; in view of the fact that Ireland patrols 25 per cent of the EC sea area and has been allocated only 4.6 per cent of EC fish quotas, the assistance, if any, which the EC is giving towards this protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Salmon Stocks.
39.
The protection of salmon stocks outside the 12 mile limit is the responsibility of the naval service through the Department of Defence.
In the period 1978-1984 a sum of £31 million was provided by the EC towards the cost of our maritime surveillance programme.
In 1985 the Fisheries Council undertook to examine proposals regarding the financial measures which could be adopted to assist member states to provide themselves with appropriate means of fisheries surveillance and control.
Proposals aimed at improving and modernising certain control facilities in all member states with the assistance of a Community contribution were approved by the Fisheries Council in May of this year. The council, at my insistence, issued a declaration to the effect that the approval did not prejudice future decisions by the Community in the matter of surveillance.