Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 2

Written Answers. - Secret Holds on Fishing Vessels.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

124 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine if he has lodged a complaint with the Spanish Government in relation to the activities of a Spanish manufacturing company providing secret holds for trawlers fishing off the Irish coast; and if he will take whatever steps are necessary by complaining to the EC or otherwise to ensure that this practice is stopped.

I am extremely concerned with the emergence over the last year of the practice of having secret holds on fishing vessels. In the last six months seven such cases have been detected by the Naval Service.

I would advise the Deputy that on the basis of the vessels detained for this offence, no fixed trend in terms of flag or nationality has emerged, the boats concerned being a mixture of British, Spanish and British/Spanish Flagships. The Deputy may rest assured that the Naval Service will continue to exercise the maximum vigilance in checking the capacity plans of vessels detained so as to deter those engaging in this practice.

Where vessels are discovered to have concealed hold compartments, the owners are charged with failure to carry on board an accurate capacity plan as required under Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 1381/87 and given effect in Irish law by the Sea Fisheries (Marking and Documentation of Sea-Fishing Boats Order, 1987 (S.I. No. 253 of 1987). The maximum penalty on conviction for this offence is £10,000 plus confiscation of catch and gear.
In view of the seriousness of the matter, the Department of the Marine is pursuing all aspects, including the alleged activities of a manufacturing company, with the European Commission, the Spanish and United Kingdom authorities.
Top
Share