Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 May 1992

Vol. 420 No. 1

Written Answers. - EC Overfishing.

Monica Barnes

Question:

5 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for the Marine if he will raise at the annual meeting of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation the matter of EC over-fishing by some other EC member states in view of the fact that this illegal fishing threatens stocks in the North Atlantic and could have devastating effects on the conservation and protection of certain fish species.

Minister for the Marine (Dr. Woods)

I presume the Deputy is referring to the allegations of over-fishing directed by the Canadian authorities against Community vessels fishing in international waters contiguous to Canada. This is a very difficult issue, as the Deputy is no doubt aware, and I have already spoken to the House on this matter in reply to a question asked by Deputy Peter Barry, on 7 April last.

As I have explained previously to the House, Irish vessels do not participate in this fishery, nor for that matter is this fishery directed at any stock shared by Ireland. Notwithstanding this, Ireland has endeavoured to play as constructive a role as possible in the Community's handling of this issue, within the Community framework. I propose to continue to do so, but I would remind the House that the fisheries sector is one in which the Community maintains complete competence, and with regard to NAFO, membership is held by the Community itself, not by individual EC Member States. It would not be appropriate, in these circumstances, for any individual member state to seek to address NAFO directly on any issue. I fully appreciate the seriousness of the situation for Canadian Fishermen. I will continue to voice our concerns in the appropriate fora.