Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 4

Written Answers. - Fishing Vessel Boardings.

Ivor Callely

Question:

156 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine the number of boardings of fishing vessels by the navy for possible fishing irregularities in 1996; if he will give a breakdown of the number of boardings and the number of detentions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7207/97]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

The number of boardings by the Irish Naval Service for possible fishing irregularities in 1996 amounted to 1,204. A total of 33 vessels were detained. The breakdown of boardings and detentions is as follows:

Nationality	Boardings	Detentions
Irish	507	6
Spanish	166	4
UK	285	13
French	206	4
Belgian	8	0
German	12	3
Dutch	6	1
Norwegian	8	Nil
Japanese	5	2
Sierra Leone	1	Nil
Total	1,204	33

The national control and enforcement regime backed up by stringent penalties is paying dividends. While boardings of fishing vessels increased in 1996, the level of detention proportionately decreased by about 35 per cent on 1995. This demonstrates the deterrent effect of surveillance and enforcement operations.