Dinny McGinley
Question:49 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for the Marine if he will give an assurance that flagship landings and especially landings at weekends are properly monitored; and the nature and frequency of such monitoring.
Written Answers. - Flagship Landings.
I am happy that flagship landings are monitored in an efficient and effective way. Flagships give advance notice of expected time and port of landing to the Department's Sea Fisheries Officers and are subject to spot-checks, with particular attention being paid to weekend or night time landings.
Each inspection involves a thorough examination of the vessels activities in relation to the various technical conservation measures imposed by Irish and EC legislation. This necessitates the inspection of a vessels markings, fish rooms, fishing gear, catches, logbooks and all requisite authorisations.
In addition to these physical checks and in accordance with EC Regulation 2241/87, all vessels over 17 metres in length are required to complete EC logbooks detailing their catches.