Vol. 434 No. 10
56 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has to amend existing legislation to deal with the ongoing problems relating to eel fishing, in particular the level of illegal fishing by unauthorised people; if his attention has been drawn to the close connections between these unauthorised people and illegal organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Demand for eels has been increasing in recent years and this is reflected in the increased number of people wishing to fish for eels, the level of catches and the prices being paid for eels.
It is now necessary to upgrade our legislation to keep pace with these developments through improved management and control. The Department is at present preparing draft amending primary legislation to take account of this. The principal thrust of the amendments being considered is to give the same level of control-protection to eels as are afforded to salmon and trout. These relate mainly to: 1, sales of eels; 2, carriage of eels; 3, possession of eels; 4, exports of eels.
The question of suitable penalties for breaches of conditions attaching to eel authorisations is also being considered. This will strengthen the hand of the enforcement authorities considerably in controlling illegal eel fishing activities. I am giving this amending primary legislation priority within the Department.
