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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 May 1997

Vol. 478 No. 6

Written Answers. - Fishing Industry.

Ivor Callely

Question:

206 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine his views on whether the Government has failed to protect and expand the Irish fishing industry as contained in the document, A Government of Renewal, section 88; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11708/97]

In the past two years there has been progress on all of the objectives set for the fishing industry in the programme, A Government of Renewal.

The main focus of fishing policy is to maintain and strengthen the contribution to the national economy and in particular its contribution to growth and employment in coastal communities.

In respect of the sea fishing sector significant growth has been achieved since 1994. Fish landings have increased from 291,000 tonnes valued at £108 million in 1994 to 320,000 tonnes valued at £136 million in 1996.

Within the framework of the Common Fisheries Policy, Ireland continued to strengthen the ability of its fishing fleet to avail of national fish quotas and to develop opportunities in new areas and non-quota species. Most recently a significant increase in Ireland's 1997 quotas for whitefish was achieved at the December Council, this involved an increase of 1,170 tonnes over 1996 levels. At the April Council, Ireland achieved, for the first time, an allocation of 12,000 tonnes of Atlanto Scandian Herring for the Irish pelagic fleet.
The Fisheries Operational Programme provides for investment of some £140 million in the fisheries sector over the period 1994 to 1999. To date over 60 per cent of the total EU funds allocated to the programme have been committed. In relation to the fleet, current investment support strategies are designed to improve the efficiency, safety and age profile of the fleet. To date 131 modernisation projects have been approved for over £4 million grant aid in the last two years. The good take up of funding to date is contributing to the objectives of improving the quality, efficiency and safety of the fleet. In relation to grant aiding new boats, I have Government approval to go ahead with a pilot scheme. The Department and BIM are progressing practical implementation of the proposal and I am pursuing the necessary additional funding for such a scheme in the context of the current mid-term review of Structural Funds.
In addition to the Operational Programme, funding is available under the PESCA community initiative to help the fishing industry overcome difficulties. One hundred and twelve projects have been approved since the programme commenced in 1995 representing total investment of £6.6 million.
In the area of conservation and resource management, Ireland has been pushing strongly at EU level for the introduction of more stringent technical measures to protect juvenile fish. Substantial progress was made during the Irish Presidency on a package of new measures which are expected to be agreed later in the year. National measures are being maintained to conserve inshore fish stocks, such as salmon, sea-trout, bass, lobster, crabs and whelks, which are not controlled under EU Regulations.
Overall, I can confirm this Government's strong record in the development of the fisheries sector.
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