Vol. 420 No. 1
12 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline his plans for the extension of the Exclusive Coastal Zone to a full 12 miles range; if the proposed zone will be reserved exclusively for Irish vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Deputy will be aware that Ireland and the other member states of the Community have fishery limits extending to 200 miles from baselines. Within that area member states, including Ireland, have exclusive fishing rights in their own coastal regions extending to six miles from baselines, while within the six to 12 mile zone fishing is reserved for fishermen of the coastal state and the fishermen of member states that have traditional rights in the area, subject of course to quota entitlements.
I believe that the protection afforded to coastal zones and inshore fishermen within this system is inadequate. In the current review of the Common Fisheries Policy, I am pressing to have the Irish exclusive coastal zone extended from six miles to 12 miles so that access within that zone would be reserved exclusively for Irish fishermen. I made a strong case to this effect at the meeting of the Council of Fisheries Ministers in Luxembourg last month. An exclusive 12-mile zone would, in my view, ensure more effective control of fishing activities, improve the conservation of stocks and better protect the economic and social position of inshore fishermen and coastal communities.
The Deputy should note, however, that achievement of an exclusive 12-mile zone will not be easy. In this regard I must point out that exclusive zones are a derogation from the general principle of freedom of access which is a central element of the Common Fisheries Policy and that any extension would require a positive decision by the Council of Ministers. It is not open to a member state to take unilateral action on this matter. Nevertheless, there is in my view a strong case for enhanced measures to protect inshore fisheries and the extension of exclusive zones would be a particularly effective means of so doing.
The Minister will agree that as one of the most peripheral states of the European Community it makes sense to seek the extension of the exclusive zone for one of our most natural and important resources? What response did he get from his colleagues in the Council of Ministers on 3 April? Is he optimistic about achieving the 12-mile limit?
To say the least, I got a fairly frosty response. I had been at other Council meetings in relation to agriculture, social welfare and health, so I was no stranger to the scene. The paper we put was fairly vehemently opposed initially by our nearest neighbour and by some other member states; yet when we persisted they agreed later to the inclusion of our paper for examination by the Commission. Our objective was to get the paper on the record and to have it fully examined by the Commission. It included this element and the element I mentioned earlier to Deputy Blaney regarding our rights in relation to quotas and boats and also surveillance.
We made the point very strongly. It was initially very strongly opposed. That was early in the day. Late at night, when it came to the conclusion of the session, our paper was included. Our objective was to get it on the table for consideration by the Commission so that they would have to look at what is happening here. I was not prepared to accept the existing situation. I was told the revenue of the Common Fisheries Policy was limited and that it was not to upset any apple tarts. It is a major review and I would not have been doing my job if I had not insisted on a substantial review. Ireland is not getting a fair share of the fishery quotas or ships. I will be going out at the beginning of June and I am prepared to fight hard on this crucial issue.
Would the Minister not agree that it is essential to get this exclusive zone, taking into consideration the strength of our fishing fleet in comparison with those of other EC countries who have massive trawlers which can literally clean out our rich fishing grounds? Is it not essential to get this exclusive 12-mile zone?
That is the line I will be taking. It is almost a statute barred position, but nonetheless I will adopt that line. If we are to conserve stocks we need to take a different approach to conservation within that area and stop the plundering there. There are issues here which need a good deal of attention.
