asked the Minister for the Marine if he has satisfied himself that other EC maritime nations are adhering strictly to catch quotas; and if he will give details of any surveys in this regard carried out by his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fish Catch Quotas.
15.
The purpose of catch quotas both at EC and national level is to properly manage and conserve fish stocks in the long term interest of fishermen. There is no doubt in my mind that the absence of management systems would lead to a free-for-all and the rapid wiping out of the stocks that at present exist. For a small country such as Ireland it is absolutely vital that catch quotas are properly complied with in the EC as a whole. I am most anxious that all countries should comply with catch quotas. In recent times there is clear evidence that both the Commission and other member states are putting much greater emphasis on proper enforcement and this is much to be welcomed.
The Deputy can be assured that I will continue to keep a close eye on any development in other countries which could affect our fish stocks and that I will take whatever action is required in the best interest of the conservation of stocks and the Irish fishing industry.
Is the Minister satisfied with the controls as they operate at present? Does the believe some reports in circulation that fish catches of species whose quotas are filled are being landed at foreign ports where vigilance in such matters is not as strict as it might be?Mr. P. Gallagher: I would be pleased to have the type of information available to Deputy McCoy. Perhaps he is referring to demersal or pelagic species. I presume he is referring to mackerel. The Minister and I will insist that we are treated as well as any other country. The Deputy asks if I am satisfied that we are adhering strictly to the regulations. We are fully familiar with those regulations and do our utmost to comply with them. I am most anxious that all other countries should comply. There are reasons for boats landing in other countries. Boats are fishing some 48 hours from the north-west coast and weather factors are a consideration, as well as the size of the boat. Some boats may not be able to travel back, much as we would like them to do so, thereby providing jobs ashore. It can be dangerous. The prices available in Ireland are much greater. I would remind the House how developed the industry is. Ninety-five per cent of mackerel landed here are processed, whereas 95 per cent of mackerel landed in the United Kingdom are put into luggers and there is no job creation. Of course we have a factory ship and it would be a futile exercise for that ship to land its fish in Ireland and have them transshipped to the Continent. They must land directly on the Continent. I am not certain what the Deputy has in mind. Is he suggesting that the Veronica with its frozen fish should come back for the love of the country and transfer its fish into refrigerated containers which would be sent from Larne to Stranraer and down through England and perhaps eventually through the channel tunnel when it is constructed? Is the Deputy suggesting that this should be done, creating jobs only for those loading the containers? If the Deputy has some matter in mind which he does not wish to raise in the House, I will be pleased to discuss it with him.
My fear is that our EC neighbours, especially the maritime nations, may not be as stringent in the application of the regulations as we appear to be.
Whoever briefed the Deputy would not be very impressed by the last question. We will ensure that we are treated in the same manner as any other country. I am surprised if the Deputy is suggesting that we should be more stringent with the Irish boats.
Is the Minister aware that Irish fishermen are extremely concerned that when they land in Europe they are subject to strict EC regulations, whereas native trawlers coming into those ports are not subject to the same vigilance and the same strict rulings? Would the Minister consider lodging a complaint with the EC in relation to this matter? I am concerned that there is not the same type of strict vigilance throughout Europe as we apply. While we comply with the regulations there are other nations who are not as honourable in the manner in which they comply.
It is a matter for the member state and secondly for the Commission to monitor and control catch quotas. If we find that other countries are not adhering to the regulations we will make this known to the Commission. There is only one boat which could be landing in mainland Europe and that is the factory ship. They are landing their tonnage of frozen fish. It is not a question of dipping the tanks. The mackerel are in blocks of 20 kilos. When fresh fish are landed an entry is made in the log book as to what is believed to be in the tanks; eventually the real figure is entered. We will be treated as well as any other country. I hope that Deputies will make their information available to me, and also that they are not suggesting, as Deputy McCoy appeared to be, that Irish boats should be controlled more vigorously off the west coast of Scotland.