Vol. 465 No. 3
247 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for the Marine the total value at current prices of fish caught in the Irish Box and in the Irish Zone of economic interest in the North Atlantic in each of the past ten years; and the proportion of that catch which was made by Irish-owned fishing vessels. [9512/96]
National waters are not currently used by States as a basis for the compilation of fisheries statistics or stock assessments. Ireland compiles sea fishery statistics in respect of Irish fishing vessels and landings by foreign vessels into Irish ports, based on the statistical areas defined by the International Counil for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). The Irish EEZ including the Irish Box is encompassed within ICES Areas VI and VII.
The ICES areas are designed to reflect the actual distribution of fisheries resources and do not correspond to national waters or zones of economic interest. The basis therefore for firm statistics on the value and volume of total catches in Irish waters in the format sought by the Deputy is not currently available.
I am arranging for our own landing statistics 1986-1995 to be forwarded to the Deputy. The statistics give the volume and value, of landings by Irish fishing vessels into both domestic and foreign ports. In 1995 catches landed by Irish boats was 387,822 tonnes valued at £129 million.
While details of the volume of landings of each of the member states are available monthly from the European Commission, information relating to the value of landings is not published by the EU and would have to be requested from each member state on an individual basis. It is clear that there is still much to be done to establish a reliable common data base for all aspects of fisheries including catches, landings and sales. A comprehensive statistical basis is needed at EU level to fully inform decision making and analysis and I hope to achieve progress during the Irish presidency towards this essential objective.
