asked the Minister for the Marine the reason the fish quota for sole in the Irish Sea (Block V IIa) for 1989 is down by 35 tonnes; if the reason is related to overfishing in previous seasons; the reason his Department allowed such excesses to go unpoliced; and the steps he intends to take to ensure that such overfishing is not repeated.
Written Answers. - Sole Fish Quota.
54.
The Irish quota for sole in (Area V IIa) for 1989 is 180 tonnes and is a reduction of 35 tonnes on the 1988 level. This quota is based primarily on advice available to the EC Commission from its scientists on the current state of the stock.
In addition, Ireland has been obliged to compensate the United Kingdom because of overfishing by Irish registered vessels during 1988; thus, the actual quantity available to Irish fishermen for this year is 125 tonnes.
My Department does not countenance overfishing. The overfishing occurred because the richest sole grounds do not fall under Irish jurisdiction and, due to landings abroad, there were delays in receiving the necessary logbook returns.
The Community has now tightened the reporting provisions in an attempt to solve this type of problem.
I have made the Sole (Control of Fishing in the Irish Sea) Order, 1989, laying down a management regime for this stock during 1989. This followed full consultation with the industry. The main elements of the regime are intended to restrict the quantity of sole which may be landed by Irish vessels at any one time and to divide the quota between beam-trawlers and conventional vessels. In addition, the order prescribes a closed period for beam-trawlers in the area north of 52 30' North. I have made it quite clear that I will further restrict fishing effort if the level of catches warrants it.