Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 1991

Vol. 412 No. 1

Written Answers. - Fishery Patrols

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

54 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine if he will give details of the sea fishery patrolling which currently exists, outlining (a) the numbers of staff engaged in the policing of our sea fisheries, (b) the frequency of patrols and (c) the success or otherwise of sea fish policing.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Wilson)

Sea fishery patrols in Irish waters are carried out by the Naval Service in cooperation with my Department. At present the Navy have a total of seven vessels which are employed mainly in fishery patrols. About 995 naval staff are involved. To date this year there have been 73 detentions by the navy of vessels suspected of contravening national and/or EC fisheries legislation.

Aerial surveillance at sea is provided by the Air Corps with the new Casa aircraft. Seven Air Corps personnel are involved. The involvement of the Casa aircraft in fisheries surveillance has contributed significantly to the overall effectiveness of the national surveillance effort this year.

In addition, my Department have six sea fishery officers who provide an onshore fisheries surveillance and control service. This service entails the effective management and monitoring of fish landings around the coast to ensure adherence to national and EC regulatory requirements. I am satisfied that the performance of these shore-based officers has contributed significantly to the success of the fishery management regimes currently in place.