asked the Minister for the Marine (a) the area of Community fishing waters which are within the Irish exclusive zone and (b) the percentage of all fish which are caught by Irish fishermen in the Community waters.
Written Answers. - Community Fishing Waters.
24.
Ireland's exclusive fishery limits comprise a total area of 132,000 square miles or some 16 per cent of Community waters. With regard to the second part of the Deputy's question, Ireland's total catch would represent almost 4 per cent of the total Community catch.
It must be remembered, of course, that the total Community catch relates also to catches in third country waters and also in waters such as the North Sea and the Mediterranean where Irish fishermen have not traditionally fished and where they do not enjoy fishing rights. Our percentage share is obviously considerably higher in those areas where our fishermen operate.