Vol. 402 No. 1
124 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the damage being caused to the crab pots and other equipment belonging to fishermen from the west Sligo coast by large trawlers coming inside the base line; and the steps being taken through protection agencies to stop the damage and the breaking of the law by the intruding vessels.
I have received reports of damage to fishermen's crab pots and other equipment caused allegedly by the fishing activities of large trawlers operating off the west coast in contravention of their licensing conditions.
These reports are being investigated actively by my Department in order to establish the full facts of the matter. In this regard my officials met with representatives of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation and the Killala Fishermen's Co-operative. In addition, my officials are meeting officials of the Department of Defence today on the question of the provision of effective enforcement by the Naval Service in the area. When I have examined the reports of these meetings I will take whatever action is considered necessary to ensure that the problem is resolved.
