Vol. 420 No. 1
37 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Marine the steps being taken to monitor the operation of Spanish vessels off the south west coast; if his attention has been drawn to reports of Irish vessels being warned off by Spanish boats, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The conditions under which Spanish fishing vessels operate in Irish waters are set out in the Iberian Act of Accession. These arrangements which allow a limited number of Spanish registered fishing vessels to fish up to 50 miles off the Irish coast are enforced at sea by the Irish Naval Service. Monitoring and control on shore of landings into Ireland is carried out by my Departments sea fisheries protection officers.
I have not been notified of any recent difficulties between Irish and Spanish vessels off the South West Coast in the immediate past. I understand however that there have been some problems in the past between the two fleets arising from the different fishing techniques practised by them.
In an effort to avoid any such conflict in the future my Department has recently had discussions with the Spanish Control Authorities. In the light of these contacts it is hoped that a framework can be put in place to eliminate possible areas of conflict and to allow legal fishing activities to be pursued effectively and safely in these waters.
