Vol. 492 No. 4
104 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of United Kingdom and Spanish flagships fishing in Irish waters; and the estimated over quota catch by these vessels in the year 1997. [14351/98]
There are approximately 150 flagships which operate in Irish waters. The majority of these vessels are registered in the UK, and are owned, crewed and operated by companies or individuals in other EU member states.
As I have indicated to the House on previous occasions, the key to dealing with the flagships is rigorous policing of fishing activity, at land and at sea as well. Accordingly, priority is being given by all the relevant Irish authorities, through strict enforcement of the relevant regulations, to the imposition of an effective ban on all illegal activities, including overfishing, in Irish waters.
As an indication of the problem of overfishing in Irish waters, 23 vessels registered in other member states were detained in 1997 for logbook offences.
I will continue to press, in direct contacts with other member states and within the appropriate EU fora, for full co-operation towards the elimination of illegal fishing practices.
