Austin Deasy
Question:17 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine the steps, if any, he is taking to reduce or eliminate illegal fishing by Spanish trawlers in Ireland's 200 mile exclusive fishing zone.
Vol. 424 No. 8
17 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine the steps, if any, he is taking to reduce or eliminate illegal fishing by Spanish trawlers in Ireland's 200 mile exclusive fishing zone.
The control and monitoring of illegal fishing by all vessels, including Spanish vessels, is a matter of paramount importance to my Department.
From my visits to fishing ports around the country I am very much aware of the grave concerns of Irish fishermen with regard to illegal fishing off our coast. I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to resolving this problem and that I will continue to explore all possible means of achieving that objective.
In an effort to address the problem, the upgrading of Ireland's surveillance operation is being assisted financially by the Community through a comprehensive surveillance programme envisaging expenditure of some £34 million covering the years 1991 to 1995. Already one CASA aircraft, improved communication and data handling equipment and onshore transport and surveillance systems have been acquired. The coming on stream last year of the new Casa aircraft, which is wholly devoted to fisheries surveillance, has greatly enhanced the State's overall surveillance capabilities. The Casa is deployed in supporting naval vessels in spotting and positioning suspect fishing vessels or fishing activity. I have no doubt, therefore, that the effectiveness of our fisheries protection effort at sea will be further enhanced as more new equipment and technology being acquired by the Naval Service comes on stream.
I have no doubt that the most effective means of combating illegal fishing is through strict enforcement of Community fisheries law at sea. In this regard I wish to acknowledge the valuable work of the Irish Naval service in protecting fish stocks off our coast. Last year a total of 85 boats was detained by the Navy for suspected fisheries infringements. This year to date the number of boats detained stands at 72.