Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Nov 1993

Vol. 436 No. 3

Written Answers. - Assets of Foreign Fishing Vessels.

Ivor Callely

Question:

89 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine the total number of foreign fishing vessels arrested by our fishery protection unit over the last five years; the nationality of the vessels; the number of cases that have been heard; the total amount of fines imposed; if the moneys collected from fines have been reinvested in enhancing our fishery protection unit; and the action, if any, he has taken with the foreign countries that persistently breached regulations.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Andrews)

As the following table shows, over the past five years 279 foreign registered vessels have been arrested for breaches of fisheries legislation. The majority of the boats in question have been Spanish, British or French registered. Many of the British registered vessels arrested have been flagship operations owned by Spanish interests. The number of prosecutions arising from these arrests has amounted to 257 of which 221 have so far come before the courts. Fines imposed over the period amounted to £4,317,381.50

As is the practice with fines imposed for breaches of statutory provision, the moneys collected are lodged to the Exchequer rather than allocated for specific purposes such as that to which the Deputy refers.

While these moneys cannot be channeled directly into the enhancement of the fisheries protection service, I would point out that under the Community Surveillance package a total of £34 million is being provided over the period 1991-95 for the purchase of aircraft, surface vessels, vehicles, communications and data handling equipment for the specific purpose of improving Ireland's fisheries protection service for that purpose. In 1992 alone, expenditure on new equipment amounted to £8.6 million.

I can assure the Deputy that I and the Department are actively pursuing the matter of persistent offenders. I recently had a wide ranging discussion on protection issues during my meeting in Madrid with my Spanish colleague Mr. Loira Rua.

In particular I stressed my own and the Government's deep concern about the level of illegal fishing by Spanish fishing vessels within the Irish economic zone. In this context, I emphasised my disquiet about the level of illegal activity by Spanish fishermen and pointed out that almost 50 per cent of all Spanish vessels inspected were arrested for serious fishing offences such as illegal entry, illegal gear and large quantities of undersized fish.

As a result of our meeting, the Spanish Minister has agreed to the establishment of a framework for enhanced co-operation between the Irish and Spanish control authorities and more active monitoring of vessels suspected of illegal fishing. This will be achieved through:

—regular bilateral meetings at senior level, including inspection staff

—exchange of information regarding detentions and warnings

—commitment on mutual follow-up on information received

As a follow-up to this meeting senior officials of my Department met with their Spanish counterparts and have agreed further measures for closer co-operation on the control and monitoring of fishing by Spanish vessels in the Irish economic zone.

Contacts with the UK Control authorities take place on a frequent and regular basis in relation to the monitoring of UK vessels in Irish waters and both administrations share the common objective of ensuring the protection of our fisheries resources.

I have made a strong speech on this at the Fisheries Council. Copies are available on request from my Department.

Summary of Foreign Fishing Vessels arrested over the last five years.

1989

Total number arrested	42
Total cases completed	31
Total fines imposed	£506,789.50
Total cases pending	11

1990

Total number arrested	61
Total cases completed	61
Total fines imposed	£982,340.50
Total cases pending	Nil

1991

Total number arrested	55
Total cases completed	53
Total fines imposed	£1,211,538.50
Total cases pending	2

1992

Total number arrested	65
Total cases completed	55
Total fines imposed	£934,464
Total cases pending	10

1993

Total number arrested	56
Total cases completed	43
Total fines imposed	£682,249
Total cases pending	13

Total 1989 to date

Total number arrested	279
Total cases completed	243
Total fines imposed	£4,317,381.50
Total cases pending	36